New Delhi, Oct 12 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today allayed speculation of mid-term polls.

"Elections are still far away. The Government has still one-and-a-half years to complete its term. I hope and expect we will stay the course," Singh said on the sidelines of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

When asked if he steps back on nuke-deal standoff, wouldn’t he be considered a weak Prime Minister, he said, “We are not a one issue government. We have made changes in various areas....but in life one has to take certain disappointments and move onto the next".

He went on to say that he will take the question on the nuclear deal head-on and defended the agreement as "an honourable deal that is good for India and good for the world."

"We are trying to reconcile the divergent points of view. I have not given up hope that reason and common sense will ultimately win the day," he added.

While delivering his speech at the summit, the Prime Minister said: “I am particularly concerned about rural development and education. These will remain our key focus areas for a long time.”

“Our farming community, and all those who live in rural areas, must be equal partners and beneficiaries of the development process. We have to improve their standard of living, offer them social security and insurance against risk,” he added.

He also called for reducing the development gap between rural and urban areas, between the more and less developed regions of our country.
Equally important is the empowerment of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, women and Minorities, through education, Dr. Singh said. (ANI)