New Delhi: Showering praises on Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister designate Manmohan Singh today (May 20, 2004) said she would go in the annals of history for sacrificing the top post.

"There will be very few instances in the world history of such sacrifice and renunciation," Singh said in his first press conference upon appointment as Prime Minister.

The mandate was for Gandhi to become Prime Minister and she should have been here to address you instead of him, Singh said. "She said in a statement yesterday that she will not take any post (Prime Ministership) in the interest of the nation."

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"However, I will sincerely serve the nation and try to fulfill the responsibility given to me by Soniaji and Congress," an emotional Singh said in his opening remarks at his residence before mediapersons.

Identifying communal harmony as the biggest challenge before his Government, he said divisive tendencies in the name of religion could impede the fruits of development to large masses.

"I will strive to fullfill the promises made by Soniaji," he assured while recalling the contribution of Pandit Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi in nation building.

Focusing on elimination of poverty as his top priority, said the "road ahead is difficult but there is no need to panic.

"No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come," he said adding emergence of India as Global Economic Power was an idea that had come when he first presented his budget 13 years ago and the Congress Government then worked towards it for the next five years.