IANS
New Delhi, Aug 18: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said he had the "courage of conviction" to do what he was doing but regretted the attitude of parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that even wished him death.
The Prime Minister made the stunning revelation in an interview published in India Today. The interview was however conducted over two months ago.
"It requires a big leap in approach and the attitude of the BJP is disappointing. They didn't even believe I would last as the Prime Minister and some leaders even did havens (special prayers) that I should die on a certain day," the published interview quoted Singh as saying.
Singh gave the interview in June while returning from the G-8 summit in Germany on board his special aircraft with the understanding that excerpts of it could be published once the 123 Agreement with the US was reached. The latest issue hit the stands on Friday.
"But I have faith in a higher force. I believe it was my destiny to be prime minister. I have the courage of conviction," he said in the interview.
BJP spokesperson, Vijay Kumar Malhotra denied that havens were organised by his party.
"We are a democratic party and cannot stoop to such low levels. The language used by the Prime Minister is simply unthinkable."
However, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said the comments by Singh revealed the "true face" of an irresponsible party.
"Here is the true face of the BJP. The party could not simply digest the fact that they lost the 2004 general elections."
The revelations came on a day of dramatic developments with the opposition National Democratic Alliance convenor George Fernandes making some disparaging remarks on Thursday against Singh, in which he said that if Singh was in China, he would have been shot in the head by a bullet for his actions.