Manmohan advises Modi to exercise restraint

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday ticked off his successor Narendra Modi for use of harsh language and advised him to “exercise due restraint”.

“My advise to the prime minister is to exercise due restraint becoming of the office of the prime minister,” Singh said during an interactive session at a function to release Congress leader Manish Tewari's book 'Fables of Fractured Times'.

Singh said when a prime minister visits a state ruled by parties other than to which he belongs, he is under an obligation not to use the language of the type that has now become common.

PM's conduct

“I would certainly say that has been my idea. My relations with the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh were very good. We never discriminated against the BJP-ruled states. Shivraj Singh himself would certify what I am saying,” Singh said.

“What I would say is that the Prime Minister of a country must set an example ... he is the prime minister for all citizens of our country and his conduct must be worthy and consistent with that obligation that he or she has as prime minister,” said Singh, who was the prime minister from 2004-14.

Singh's remarks come in the midst of the vitriolic election campaign that has seen Congress and BJP leaders levelling personal attacks at each other.