Manmohan criticises Narendra Modi's silence on beef row

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has criticised PM Narendra Modi for keeping "quiet" over issues like beef controversy and Dadri lynching and asked him to give every Indian the confidence that in him "we have a prime minister who cares for our well-being".

He also blamed BJP for the "unwanted bitterness" between it and Congress, saying it does not feel that it needs the opposition party in managing the country.

"The public in our country expects the prime minister to take the lead in managing public opinion. But he (Modi) has never spoken; whether it is on the beef problem or whether it is what happened in Muzaffarnagar or elsewhere, he has kept quiet," Singh, who was at the helm for 10 years during the UPA rule, he said in an interview.

He was asked if Modi's attention has been distracted by issues like banning of beef, intolerance and the unfortunate killing of a Muslim in Uttar Pradesh over beef.

Asked why Modi kept quiet, he said, "I don't know. I cannot read his mind. But he is the prime minister of all the people of India and he must give every Indian the confidence that in him we have a prime minister who cares for our well-being."

Pointing out that BJP stalwart and the first NDA prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee grew in office, Singh said Modi has great and unique opportunities.

"In the hands of a purposeful government and wise leadership, there are enormous opportunities to make progress in the management of the economy and in containing social tensions," he said.