UPA govt lacks probity: Advani

NEW DELHI: Taking on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in connection with the corruption case involving union shipping and transport minister TR Baalu, BJP leader LK Advani on Wednesday said there was no probity in the UPA government. Mr Advani had earlier termed the government as the most corrupt in the country���s history. The PM was not spared on the inflation front either by the Leader of the Opposition.

Speaking at the CII national conference, Mr Advani said, ���Prime minister Manmohan Singh���s personal integrity is beyond doubt. However, it is now equally beyond doubt that he is neither able nor trying to enforce probity in his government.���

Terming Mr Singh as helpless, he added, ���In dealing with corruption in his government ��� and it is now common knowledge that the UPA government is by far the most corrupt in India���s history ��� he is exhibiting the same helplessness that he earlier did in acting against crime-tainted ministers.���

The BJP leader also took on the PM on his remarks made on Tuesday at the inaugural session of the CII conference. In his address, Mr Singh had said, ���For government to be more productive, more creative and more effective, we need greater political consensus and some nationally accepted norms of governance in our parliamentary system.��� Quoting the PM, Mr Advani said, ���The nation would also have liked to know from the prime minister what ���nationally accepted norms of governance��� the government is following on certain crucial issues.������

If a minister thinks that it is a part of his duty to seek favours from another ministry for businesses owned by his son, and if the prime minister chooses not to make a statement on the issue in Parliament, it is my understanding that neither the minister nor the prime minister is following a ���nationally accepted norm of governance in a parliamentary democracy���.���

The PM also came under attack on the inflation front. ���He sought political consensus and help from the industry to fight inflation. However, apart from telling what the industry should do and what the Opposition should do, I wish he had also told the nation what his government is doing to bring the prices of essential commodities down. For people want to see results on the ground. After all, sound management of the economy is a core responsibility of the central government,��� Mr Advani said.