The Hindu Business Line : <I>New assertiveness </I>

Scribes in the capital have got it from informal sources in the Prime Minister's Office that Dr Manmohan Singh has finally decided to assert himself. As proof they cite the case of the petrol and diesel price hikes which have remained unchanged, despite pressure from all, including the Congress party.

Now, the second instance of the Prime Minister's asserting himself is said to be the Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar's decision to join Dr Singh's entourage to Vidarbha district of Maharashtra where farmers are in distress. Initially, Mr Pawar had cried off from joining the PM and had deputed his party junior, Mr Praful Patel, no matter that as Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Patel has precious little to do with farmer issues. Now, if sources are to be believed, the Prime Minister, on hearing about Mr Pawar's decision to stay away, sent a stern message that the Agriculture Minister had better join the tour. Mr Pawar's camp, on the other hand, claims that he was joining the PM's team since a better package for the farmers had been drawn up. The truth probably lies somewhere in between, but it depends on whom you are listening to.

Our Bureau