New Delhi, Mar 20: In his first public comments since undergoing heart bypass surgery about two months back, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said he would take part in election campaign and expressed the confidence that his government&aposs performance would help UPA retain power.

76-year-old Singh, who has gradually started attending official work, said he would be camapaigning for Congress as he is"alright"now.

"I am confident that the people of India will vote UPA back to power on our performance," Singh told reporters here on the sidelines of the defence investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

This was the Prime Minister&aposs first interaction with the media since his heart surgery on January 24.

Asked whether he would campaign for the party, Singh said"of course, I am alright."

Queried whom he considered the"biggest rival"in the coming Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister said"rivals are rivals, we should not underestimate anyone.