PM rules himself out for 3rd term, calls Modi disastrous

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today ruled himself out of the race for prime ministership after the next elections holding that Rahul Gandhi had "outstanding credentials" for the top job but said Narendra Modi as PM will be "disastrous" for the country.
He said the Congress party would decide on its prime ministerial candidate and announce it at an "appropriate" time.
Addressing a press conference, the third in his two terms, he sought to dispel the negative image of his government and the tag of weak prime minister for him after nine and half years in office saying he had done his best and put the country on a good growth momentum.

"I do not believe I am a weak prime minister. It is for historians to judge. The BJP and its associates may say whatever they like. If by strong prime minister you mean you preside over mass massacre of innocent citizens on the streets of Ahmedabad, if that is the measure of strength, I do not believe that that this country needs that kind of strength.
In his opening statement itself, the Prime Minister said after the general elections in a few months time "I will hand the baton over to a new prime minister. I hope it will be a UPA chosen prime minister and our party will work to that end.