Manmohan not ensuring probity in Govt: Advani

8220;It is my understanding that neither the minister nor the Prime Minister is following a nationally accepted norm of governance in a parliamentary democracy,8221; he said.

8220;Prime Minister Manmohan Singh8217;s personal integrity is beyond doubt. However, it is also beyond doubt that he is neither able nor trying to ensure probity in his government,8221; Advani said, while delivering his valedictory address at the annual CII summit in New Delhi.

Advani, while speaking on 8220;Building India: Making Growth Inclusive and Sustainable8221;, accused Singh of 8220;exhibiting the same helplessness that he earlier did in acting against tainted ministers8221; when it came to dealing with corruption in his government.

A Prime Minister must not only be incorruptible himself, but should also strive his utmost to ensure that his team members do not indulge in any corrupt activities, the senior BJP leader said.

He qouted Watergate episode in US to drive home the importance of the integrity of the leaders in the top rung of various democratic institutions.

Without naming anyone, Advani alleged that many ministries in UPA government are harming the country8217;s reputation and development.

8220;Several ministers run their ministries as their own fiefdoms with no command or control thus undermining India8217;s development drive and the country8217;s international reputation,8221; he said.

Quoting Singh8217;s speech in the same seminar on Tuesday, in which he called for greater political consensus and some nationally accepted norms of governance in the parliamentary system, Advani asked 8220;what norms the government was following on 8216;certain8217; crucial issues.8221;

8220;The nation would have liked to know from the Prime Minister what nationally accepted norms of governance the government is following on certain crucial issues,8221; he said.

The Prime Minister apart from 8220;telling what the industry should do and what the opposition should do,8221; must have told the nation 8220;what his government is doing to bring down the prices essential commodities.8221;

The BJP leader, whose party is now planning to make corruption a poll agenda in the wake of the row alleging Union Minister T R Baalu seeking favours from another ministry for alleged family gains, said corruption results in 8220;malignant growth8221;.

He said corruption leads to 8220;moral degradation8221; and 8220;the case of the minister seeking gas supply at concessional rates for businesses run by his sons is only a tip of the iceberg.8221;

The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said 8220;it is my firm belief that corruption is one of the biggest obstacles to inclusive and sustainable growth.8221;