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| UPA Govt’s Oath Likely on May 22 | | | AGENCIES
New Delhi, May 19: Fresh from the spectacular victory in the Lok Sabha polls, the new Congress-led UPA government is likely to take oath on May 22.
According to reports, the United Progressive Alliance is likely to stake claim to the formation of government tomorrow besides having a meet at the residence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The alliance will also get letters of support tomorrow.
Earlier in the day, Dr Manmohan Singh was renominated as Congress Parliamentary Party leader by party chief Sonia Gandhi to head the new government.
At the meeting of newly elected Congress MPs held at Parliament's central hall, Sonia Gandhi was also elected chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP). Her name was proposed by senior Karnataka leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
The CPP also endorsed Singh as the leader of Rajya Sabha, while Pranab Mukherjee has been given the charge of the Lok Sabha.
76-year-old Singh’s renomination as the CPP leader to lead the government was unanimously approved by the members amid thumping of desks.
The meeting saw Sonia Gandhi telling Congress workers to put the party before self, remain disciplined and united to emerge even stronger in the future.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday sought to give a push to the economic reforms saying that the government India could not afford to lag behind while agreeing that the challenges are daunting.
"We cannot afford to miss the bus now," he said pointing out that many nations in Asia were marching ahead and the world was experiencing a shift in the dynamics of growth from the West to the East.
Addressing members of the Congress Parliamentary Party, he said India stood tall once again as a great democracy. "But the challenges before us are daunting," he said.
Manmohan Singh all set for another term as PMNoting that the massive mandate came with the challenge of rising expectations of the people, he said, "They will not tolerate 'business as usual'.
"They expect us to work with renewed energy. They expect the government to cater to their aspirations. They expect a more responsive government. They expect a more efficient government."
The Prime Minister said to maintain a sustained growth, new investments were required. "This requires creating a social and political environment in which new investment can be made. This requires better management of our finances. This requires reform of the economy," he said. Singh said the country need to revitalise agriculture and accelerate industrial development in order to sustain growth.
The Prime Minister said if the country sustain the growth rates of the last five years, it can reduce poverty, create new employment, accelerate rural development and industrialisation, transform the lives of the people.
"The period ahead could be decisive. We must grasp the nettle firmly and forge ahead," he said promising to do his best to make the government a "catalyst of change".
Singh also extended a hand of friendship to members of all political parties, cutting across political spectrum and invited them to play the role of a "constructive opposition".
He said the impressive mandate for UPA was made possible due to the "inspirational leadership" of Sonia Gandhi, "enterprise and ingenuity" of Rahul Gandhi and dedication and hard work of party workers.
The people have rubbished the "fashionable theory of anti-incumbency", Singh said, cautioning that party leaders and workers must work harder and better to secure a wholesome mandate entirely in the party's favour.
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