Manmohan speech not inspiring: Oppn

The principal opposition party BJP said Singh`s address was "lacklustre" and "uninspiring" and that it did not address critical issues like corruption and price rise while CPI-M said nothing new has been said by the Prime Minister.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi voiced dissatisfaction at the address, saying he heard the speech not as a Chief Minister but as a common man and that he was disappointed.

The BJP strongman said he was surprised to hear the prime minister talk about difficulties to control inflation or cite coalition compulsions.

Modi also accused the prime minister of waking up late to the issue of skill development in the nation.

Emphasising on job creation infusing requisite skills to the youths, Singh said a specialised agency would be set up to facilitate training of eight crore people in the next five years.

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javedkar said, "PM`s speech was completely listless and a speech which was not instilling any new confidence in the nation".

"The speech just mentioned but did not give any direction on the issues the nation and the people of the country are facing - price rise, inflation, corruption, the black money, slowing economy, monsoon deficit, and drought. It did not address any of these issues."

"People were expecting some new announcement and resolve of the government to solve the issues facing the nation. It was a complete lacklustre, routine speech and was totally uninspiring," he said.

Former CPI-M MP Nilotpal Basu said the prime minister has not said anything new and that he only repeated his passion for economic growth.