New Delhi: In his first comments on the
police action at Ramdev's protest congregation, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh on Monday termed it as "unfortunate" but justified
it saying there was "no alternative".
He asserted that his government was "concerned" and
"serious" about fighting corruption but maintained that there
was "no magic wand" to do so.
"It is unfortunate that operation had to be conducted
but quite honestly, there was no alternative," Singh told
reporters here when asked to comment on the much-criticised
midnight police action to disrupt Ramdev's anti-corruption
protest at Ramlila Maidan.
On the issue of corruption being flagged by civil
society activists and parties, the Prime Minister said, "the
government is serious and we are concerned about corruption
and blackmoney. There is no doubt. But there is no magic
wand."
With regard to demands that the Prime Minister should
be brought under the purview of Lokpal, Singh refused to
comment saying the issue was before the joint drafting
committee comprising ministers and members from civil society.
Singh, who was talking to reporters on the sidelines
of function organised by Hindi daily 'Rajasthan Patrika', was
asked about his assessment of his two years in office. "It is
for you people to judge," he said.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, June 07, 2011, 08:52