New Delhi, December 19: Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday slammed former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his comment on PM Narendra Modi. Naqvi while taking a jibe at Singh, said that the former prime minister always spoke on someone else’s order. Referring to the senior Congress leader, the union minister said, “He is a senior leader and a former PM, when he was PM he used to talk on someone’s order and script, even now he is doing same. He should realise that PM Modi doesn't need prompter, script or a director.”

Yesterday, the former prime minister took a swipe at current PM Narendra Modi for not facing the media in the last four-and-half years. He accused Modi of being afraid of the press asking him questions on his foreign tours and cited his example on how he (Singh) briefed the media.

The Congress leader said, “People say I was a silent Prime Minister. I think these volumes (his book 'Changing India') speak for themselves. I wasn't the PM who was afraid of talking to the press. I met press regularly, and on every foreign trip I undertook, I had a press conference on return.” PM Modi Must Exercise Restraint, Should Set an Example with Conduct, Advices Manmohan Singh.

The former prime minister also attacked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government for the tiff with Reserve Bank of India and the governors. The senior Congress leader also reiterated the promise of his party for waiving farmers’ loans if the Congress comes to power in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 19, 2018 12:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).