PTI
 
New Delhi, Nov 22: "I am very satisfied," is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's own assessment of the performance of his government, which completed its half-term on Wednesday but its allies and opposition parties have a different take on it.

A booming economy yet suicides by desperate farmers; peace on the borders but continuing terror strikes; successes in foreign policy but a bitter opposition at home – these paradoxes have marked the first experiment by Congress party with coalition government at the centre.

A vanquished BJP had predicted on May 22, 2004, when Singh took oath of office that a "weak" Prime Minister would not last. Their astrologers were wrong again.

The 74-year old gentleman economist with an unrivalled clean image in the national political scene has shown dexterity in handling the job that was offered to him on a platter. That he would handle the economy well is no surprise but his grasp of foreign affairs has been commendable.

With all the successes of his government, the Prime Minister knows it has a long way to go.

"I am very satisfied. But there are miles to go before we sleep," was how the Prime Minister himself recently summed up the journey on being asked by reporters for his assessment of the government's performance midway through the five-year tenure.