Manmohan Singh's last address to parliament

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed Parliament for the last time on Friday and said that the passage of the bill on Telangana was an indication that the country was capable of taking tough decisions.

"The manner in which the passage of Telangana bill took place indicated that this country can take difficult decisions without any rancour and without worrying too much about the pros and cons," said Singh.

"The Indian Parliament has the capacity and the will to rise above partisan strife and find pathways of national reconciliation," he added.

He further said that the general elections would give people an opportunity to form a new sense of consensus that would take the country on to new pathways.

He added, "Out of this strife and tensionful atmosphere, birth of a new atmosphere of hope will emerge,"

"India is entering a phase where the people would have an opportunity to pass their judgment on the achievements and weaknesses of the government and a new sense of consensus will emerge that will carry the country to new pathways," said Singh.

He also praised Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde for performing his duties efficiently and also praised the role of the Leader of the Opposition.