By Arvind Padmanabhan, IANS,
On Board Air India One : Refusing to be drawn into constant verbal attacks on him by top Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh nevertheless hoped for moderation in the use of words in the world of politics.
“On a foreign soil I am not going to criticize any national leader. I wish Mr. Advani a successful yatra,” the prime minister told journalists on his way back after attending the India, Brazil South Africa Summit in Pretoria.
“I would hope that he (Advani) would use language, which at times appears to be intemperate. I think in politics, it is better to avoid harsh words,” the prime minister added.
Advani had once again taken a swipe at Manmohan Singh and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government he is heading during an address at Soaner near Nagpur in Maharashtra during his ongoing rath yatra against corruption.
“The condition of the government is very bad. Sometimes I take pity on Manmohan Singh, though I had respect for him at one time,” he said, and again called the prime minister “the weakest ever”.
(Arvind Padmanabhan can be reached at [email protected])