IT is axiomatic that there should be an unbridgeable difference between the vision and goals of a prime minister and those of industrialists. The latter … aim to further productivity and profits. The prime minister … has to lead the country. In this complex … task, the economic activities of the people … including … industrial entrepreneurs, form only a part. The prime minister’s vision has to be larger than the many parts that constitute diverse interests and activities of the people…. He must be aware of these diverse motives and aspirations but stand apart from them and even above them. This is his responsibility as the holder of the country’s top job…. It is, therefore, surprising to learn that Manmohan Singh bemoaned the “negative comments emanating from our business leadership”. He added that such comments had contributed to uncertainty and have strengthened those “who have no stake in our economic growth”.

This comment of Mr Singh almost assumes that industrialists have a duty to the nation to always paint a picture of robust economic optimism. This is a thoroughly unfair … expectation. If economic growth is slowing down, if the climate is not favourable for investment, if the rupee is plummeting, if the global outlook is bleak, how can industrialists not harbour negative … sentiments?...

There is also the perception … that Mr Singh … has not pursued economic reforms with as much zeal and speed as he did during his first term as prime minister and when he was … finance minister under P.V. Narasimha Rao….

Perhaps Mr Singh has been cut to the quick because the comments of the business leaders are tantamount to a criticism of the leadership provided by the prime minister…. It has been apparent that … Mr Singh has been on the back foot. In the crisis …

facing the country, Mr Singh has been seen to be too inactive; he has failed to put forward his vision as a leader…. He has let others, including one Anna Hazare, set the agenda. The adverse comments of the industrialists should be read by the prime minister as an appeal for leadership and direction….—(Dec 24)