Pune: Contrary to his party BJP's attack on the government and PM, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today downplayed the 'Time' magazine's branding of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as an "underachiever".
"We do not need a certificate from a foreign media publication for our Prime Minister. He is our country's Prime Minister and we respect him," he remarked during a media interaction here when asked to comment on the adjective that was seized upon by the main opposition party to criticise UPA government's performance on economic front.
Chouhan, who was here to meet industrialists to seek investment in his state, however, said that the prevailing atmosphere of economic instability in the country marked by devaluation of rupee and almost muted foreign investment, should end.
"The economic policy of the Centre is a matter of concern. During my meeting with Prime Minister, I told him that the prevailing uncertainty on economic front should end," he said.
Chouhan said economic instability was also affecting the prospects of investment in states.
He claimed that because of the Centre's "unclear policy", projects needing mining and environmental clearances were being delayed.
Chouhan, who led a 10-member delegation, met captains of industry from Pune seeking investments in various sectors in Madhya Pradesh, which he said was "investment-friendly".
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, July 11, 2012, 20:50