41
On the 25th of August, when the Indian Prime Minister spoke to the Parliament on the issue dominating the nation’s attention – the non-violent, in-your-face protest championed by Annasaheb Hazare – neither the House nor the nation was impressed. The erudite PM’s droning, once lovable, monotone never sounded flatter or more impotent. He reserved the first half of his speech to defending his own image, chiefly by citing his past achievements. That done, he spoke about the constraints the government faces while tackling corruption. And then, he weakly suggested that the Parliament debate on all the versions of the Lokpal Bill that are available in the public domain.
‘He [Annasaheb Hazare] has registered his point,’ the PM said towards the end of his speech.
Well, by making the government buckle under his demands for the second time in four months, Annasaheb has certainly registered his point. Meanwhile, the PM himself has been unable to do the same for a long, long time. And nothing underlines this fact better than the sullen, stony silence he nowadays wears to the floor of the House. The mask of composure seems to be wearing thin, and underneath, one sees… what? Despondency, a bleak surrender to greater powers?
It would appear so. Despite occupying the most powerful chair in the land, the PM has made it a habit to convey his helplessness to the nation. Talking to journalists in February about the mega-scams rocking his government, he said that the “limitations of coalition politics” cannot be ignored. In other words, the entire 2G spectrum scam was due to the DMK’s insistence that A. Raja be appointed the Telecom Minister. One rotten apple, that the PM himself didn’t pick, had apparently spoilt the entire harvest. And this defence didn’t even explain the CWG scam and Adarsh Society scam sponsored by Congress party stalwarts. As of today, some of the scamsters are behind bars primarily because the judiciary snubbed the legislative and forced the investigative agencies to take action. In fact, the Supreme Court went to the extent of blaming the PM for prolonged inaction on the 2G scam. That’s a serious allegation on a man with a glorious past, a man who has shown glimpses of exemplary courage.
During his previous term, Manmohan Singh risked the future of his government to push the Indo-US nuclear deal through – when the Communists withdrew support to the government, as everybody knew they would, the PM found an unlikely ally in the Samajwadi Party. In that instance, he refused to accept the limitations of coalition politics. What has changed now? Does he value energy security over clean governance? Rather unlikely. After all, he ensured that the Parliament passed the Right to Information Act, which has given the general public an effective tool to combat corruption, especially in the bureaucracy. (Interestingly, Arvind Kejriwal, a key member of Team Anna, shot to fame as an RTI activist.)
It’s a matter of great concern that the legacy of Manmohan Singh has been diluted to such a great extent in a matter of eighteen months. Other than the RTI, this man:
• Introduced NREGA, an Act that guarantees minimum employment to a subset of rural Indians.
• Being a bipartisan politician, has carried forward key schemes launched by Vajypayee’s government such as the Golden Quadrilateral and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (which strives to deliver elementary education to every Indian child). His government, in fact, alleviated the education scenario by introducing the Right to Education Act in 2009.
• Has used his moderate outlook and popularity amongst peers to improve international relations on almost every front.
• Has played a stellar role as the Finance Minister in P. V. Narasimha Rao’s government. From being totally broke in 1991, the Indian economy is now one of the fastest growing in the world, and a major portion of this credit must go to Manmohan Singh.
These are only the most remarkable in the PM’s long list of achievements. But it doesn’t become him to list them out regularly in his speeches, just because somebody or the other made a vulgar attack on his persona – shouldn’t he rest assured that no sane, unmotivated person will accuse him of being corrupt?
At the same time, his inaction, as highlighted by the Supreme Court, cannot be condoned. In fact, it’s perplexing that he choose to do nothing of consequence. After all, he’s in the enviable position of having nothing to lose. It’s difficult to imagine him wanting, or getting, another term. Besides, he has no love for material goods, and one would like to believe that he does not seek power for its own sake. So when the proverbial bribe-stacks began hitting the ceiling, why didn’t he take the opportunity to clean up the mess within the establishment? Was he afraid that powerful backend elements would kick him out? Well, if it had come to that, wouldn’t those elements have exposed their true colours? And consequently, wouldn’t we be scurrying to buy pale blue turban cloth instead of Gandhi caps?
As it turned out, the PM allowed the situation to reach a flashpoint that facilitated Annasaheb’s movement. And what a movement it turned out to be! Civil Rights groups in India are usually defeated by the government’s apathy and obduracy. An illustrious example of this is the prolonged Narmada Bachao Andolan. Similar, lesser-known battles, are fought routinely in every part of the country – groups protesting against ill-conceived Special Economic Zones or the plundering of natural resources are waylaid as a matter of course. In this backdrop, Annasaheb’s movement achieved so much in such a short timeframe. This can only be interpreted as a firm indictment of the Union government in general and the Prime Minister in particular.
Yet, all is not lost. The PM still has sufficient time to reclaim his honour. There are more scoundrels to nab, Ministers to be admonished for abysmal performance, black money to be repatriated from Switzerland and other places etc. Meanwhile, the threat posed by Naxalites needs to be addressed by a development-centric strategy – Naxalism isn’t a pure law-and-order issue.
Yes, it’s safe to say that the PM has enough opportunities to redeem himself. Does he have the desire and energy to do so? Only time will tell. I remain optimistic because I vividly recall seeing the live telecast of his 1991 Budget speech as a teenager. After he declared the government’s decision to usher in economic reforms, he ended by quoting from that most liberating Urdu poem:
‘Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamare dil mein hai, dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qaatil mein hai.’
Indeed. One hopes that the PM repeats this phrase one last time and has a go. Otherwise, the most charitable thing the younger generations will say about him is, ‘He probably meant well.’
Eshwar Sundaresan is a Bangalore-based writer, freelance journalist, ideator and entrepreneur. His works are Googlable.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Mr. Singh is respected and has a very clean record unlike most of the Indian politicians. He doesn’t talk too much but whatever he says he means that. His second term as Indian Prime minister proves that he’s doing his job well. Let his opponents say whatever they want to say.
he is honest surely, but his party and all Indian parties has corrupt leaders, leaders comes from public it means public is corrupt too
Public is corrupt too??? For a moment Keep your hatred feelings a side to know Fact.Corruption is everywhere in the world. Own progressive putrefaction leads mankind to do corruption and whatever World is watching about the protest going in India against the corruption is not that overabundant consequence. Thing is that Indians are on the right path, decision of great resistance to a government by fasting is an emblematic inspiration. And glad that Government has implemented Lokpal Bill, soon the world will see the evolution more advanced on mature stage in India. Peace.
You need to get your facts right, he was born in west Punjab now part of Pakistan but he belong to a village in east Punjab in India. He can represent all Indians regardless of any state, 47% Hindus also live in Punjab too.
He can be classified as a good economist but not a great leader a great country like India deserves.
No one grows in public life and power corridors without making compromises; never in India.
What is the use of personal honesty when you look the other way while the ministers and your officials indulge in corruption .
for leadership, charisma and honesty he hets 2 out of 10.
hw has probably not taken bribes in cash. however his being made pm is a hefty
bribe in itself. he has compromised himself completely to get and keep this job.
Plenty of Hindu nationalists BJP supporters in this forum who can tolerate an honest man
MMS being honest is a myth. The man who states that he is a resident of Assam to get elected to the Rajya Sabha is not being truthful. Only in Indian democracy a person who has lost elections can become Prime Minister.
What a pity people like you doubt honest person like Dr, Singh. How is he corrupt if he gets elected from Assam if Indian law and Election commission allows him to contest from Assam unless both law and commission is wrong. I will always support him even if he contests from moon, World in general and India in particular need intellectual and visionary like him. He pulled India out of brink in early nineties and is great proponent of capitalism, only system which gives every person equal opportunity to succeed.
Strong and truly democratic India with a clear aim is in every body's benefit in the neighborhood who can take everyone onboard.
But a corrupt and demoralised India with a lost aim is like person with dimentia and is a liability not only on itself but a burden onto others. Being quite large in size, it will drag everyone down by its mere weight.
All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common; it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership.”
- John Kenneth Galbraith
With endemic corruption eating the very vitals of the society in every level it has become an obsessive anxiety of every Indian. That Dr. MMS not withstanding his great academic laurels exhibited to total incapacity to " confront unequivocally" the menace to reassure a common man. He fails in the true tests of leadership the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency. Unfortunately he will not be remembered in history for liberalizing the economy but as one who failed to take risk to convert crisis in to an opportunity. Superb quote of Marcus Antonius in Shakespeare Julius Caesar come to our mind.
"The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft interred with their bones;"
what kind of PM is he? Not good for India.
For many of us Dr. Manmohan has been India's most succesful PM. I am willing to bet my last rupee whoever succeeds Dr. Manmohan will not be as visionary or successful as Dr. Manmohan. Enough said.
Manmohan Singh is representative of the type of politicos that dominate Indian Politics. It is time for all of them to leave the scene (this also includes likes of Advani).
The Indians should learn from Pakistan – look at Pakistan's young Foreign Minister. The Indian sub-continent did not collapse by the appointment of a person in her mid thirties as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan!
He is man of integrity but his party and fellow partymen are not. He cannot go against his partymen, hence his act of no-action. I think he personally supports strong lokpal but then again he cannot openly say it. All of it is just a game he is playing to make his partymen think he is with them. I think he will make sure nice lokpal system in place before he leaves.Otherwise I cannot explain his dual mindset of being extremely clean, but let the party be corrupt. Hope I am not dreaming.
Manmohan Singh had nothing to lose if he had threateded to resign while dealing with Telecom Raja sternly. If he was not opposed to the PM's office coming under Lokpal, why did he not take the lead in having a strong Lokpal bill? Nevertheless he should thank Anna that his hands were forced to take a decision for a strong lokpal. He should really aim at an effective Lokpal bill showing his helpless once again — this time to his political bosses and opposition..
Well written. I had always been of the opinion he should have remained in his field of economics rather than politics. I do not have much applaud for his leadership skills – never had.
Let us face it, Dr. Singh has been always reluctant politician. He is accomplished technocrat and is well respected in western countries especially here in US. I don't think he is corrupt and cannot be a manipulator like typical Indian politician. I don't think he has taken hit to his reputation but more damage has been done to Congress Party. I believe India should leave him to push economic reforms and move India ahead and leave politics to people like Sonia and her cronies. I believe biggest loser is Rahul Gandhi, who could not show any leadership qualities in absence of his mother who is recovering from unknown illness here in US.
Being respected for is enconomic knowledge is one thing and being PM or a country is another. He has proven to be complete failure as PM. His tenure is works chapter of Indian demcracy where votes of MPs were bought openly to save his goverment. While I supported the nuclear deal, but the way it was passed in Loksabha was a matter of shame. A better leader would have consulted with other parties to make a consensus rather than paying cash to buy votes. The economic reforms are also questionable. Now many are pushing for second generation reforms which will allow foreigh investment in India. which is going to be disastarous. instead of allowing the foreign investment he should work more on removing thr hurdles for local business, and make transparent laws for land acquistion. The current policy of creating SEZ is actaully another scheme for corruption.
interesting
The real power is not in his hands.
I always thought India was much better in corruption but I was wrong. Seems like both of us are competing in this field as well. And why do we have such rampant corruption in our society?
One of the reason is that we are too family oriented & community welfare & country comes much later for us. Doing anything for your family seems morally justifying for both of us.
One of his biggest legacy. Being PM for two terms without contesting and winning any election.
spineless prime minister. after every scam his only answer is 'i didnt know that'!
wow what a great answers and show of responsible mr.pm
he came to maharashtra and declared package for farmers 2 yrs ago. still today at least 3-4 farmers commit suicide every weak in maharashtra.
Manmohan Singh has to me a mystery within a conundrum.A politician with a history of humility and honesty, presiding over one of the most corrupt administrations in Indian history. IT is not enough to say that coalition politics has something to do with it. It is upto an honest man to resign if he is in a den of thieves.The Sardarji's reputation has been besmirched by the company he keeps.
but this "Sardarji" is better than all "Lalaji" PMs so far
I really think it comes down to what
level of independance Manmohan singh has in decision making and how much it is influenced by party leadership behind the scenes. Irrespective more is expected fro a PM
To start with i am not a congress supporter or sympathizer of the prime minister of india.
But the real problem also lies with the citizens of india where people are not able to have a consensus of putting a single party in full power at the time of elections. Now for better when coalition governments are formed they are subjected to blackmailing from regional parties(read democratically elected thugs) like samajwadi party or DMK whose sole objective is to milk peoples money for their own good.
I have seen people critisizing the pm legitimately but then we also should never forget that he lead india extremely effectively through the times of turmoil in recession. Which we can't expect from Rajiv Gandhi or H D Devegowda or gujral or even from shri atalbihari Vajpaye.
@Author
You say no sane motivated person wil accuse him of corruption.
I would beg to differe. I DEFINITELY do not accuse him of personal financial corruption. In other words he has not financially benefited from his position. However, he HASturned a blind eye to a lot of corruption in order to continue to remain in power. People can be paid through money or power. HE has chosen to be paid through power. To be known as one of the very few Prime Ministers to complete 2 full terms in the history of India, he is willing to overlook outright wrongdoing by his partners. He also authorized the government's aproach to first ignore, then arrest then attack Anna personally before having to capitulate to the mass of public support that simply refused to fade .
PM is an exalted position.
MMS must be thinking that to turn a blind eye to the corruption around him is a small price to pay for the position.
His hands may be clean; but is his conscience?
Excellent reply. Yes Power is the reward which MMS got for allowing corruption. Being the PM of the biggest democracy is very much luring.
" to push the Indo-US nuclear deal through …., the PM found an unlikely ally in the Samajwadi Party."
PM did not get the unlikely ally in the Samajwadi party by fair means but the party MPs were purchased by Congress party. Incredibly we are asked believe that gross crime corrupting of MPs were done with out the knowledge of PM though the main beneficiary of the scam was the PM. Time and again Dr. Singh has proved himself to be mere follower with high academic qualifications but never a leader.
True….Manmohan Singh is a great intellectual, but not a great leader! The foundations for the development have been set, now its time for us to get a leader to take us forward. Could be partly achieved by getting the middle class and the upper caste to vote.
Arjun: intellectual people make leaders. Not Anna Hazare or Kiran Bedi, I bet you watch and see .
Intellectual or not, powerless people like MMS don't make leaders for sure. For that purpose, even Sonia Gandhi can attract more crowd of people who would listen to her patiently.
It is very difficult to push the economic reforms that MMS had created when the Opposition has an oilio of leaders that are undemocratic, nonsecular, fundamentalists,confrontationalists, obstructionists and petulant. In this environment how can you get this wise and eloquent gentleman from the Punjab be a great leader.
He is from Assam.
His village is in Pakistan's Punjab. Get your facts right.
@Gilliana, you need to get your facts right. MMS is nominated to the Rajya Sabha as a resident of Assam.