Is change in the air in New Delhi?
First, everybody and his uncle have been attacking him for the bushfires raging across the nation—Telangana, Kashmir, Maoist terrorism, corruption, price rise, CWG etc. Then, his ministerial and party colleagues seem to think the government should be going in exactly the opposite direction he is taking it.
Now, with the nuclear liability bill out of the way, two commentators say it is time for Sonia Gandhi to step up to the plate and take charge if UPA-II is to not completely wither away. Even as Manmohan Singh prepares to meet editors in a PR exercise after becoming the third-longest serving PM.
Tavleen Singh in The Indian Express:
“The reason why I appeal to her to please take the job (if she thinks Rahul is not ready) is because wherever I go these days I meet people who say they are sick and tired of Dr Manmohan Singh….
“There is no point any longer in pretending that you are just a social worker totally uninterested in power and pelf. Everyone knows that you are the most powerful person in India at the moment and that the second most powerful person is your son and heir. Immense power cannot come without immense responsibility. Ruling from behind the throne worked in the time of kings and absolute rulers. Democracy demands power with accountability and under your government this rule has been broken for too long.”
“The much-hyped diarchy—Sonia Gandhi’s prime ministerial apointee Manmohan Singh runs the government, and she runs the party—doesn’t appear to be delivering the goods. Mr Singh is seen as a hardworking, dour economist-technocrat, while Mrs Gandhi is seen as a somewhat distant, slightly enigmatic figure, who does not spell out her vision on most issues. The problem is neither seem to be interested in taking the initiative….
“Many feel it is time for Ms Gandhi to step out, assert her authority and take responsibility. Right now, the buck does not appear to stop with anybody in the government or the party.”
Also read: In one-horse race, Rahul baba is a two-trick pony
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Tavleen Singh says : ‘I meet people who say they are sick and tired of Dr Manmohan Singh’
What do these guys take Mr. Singh for? Rambo or Donald Rumsfeld? He is neither and thank your luck for that. He is the head of a cabinet that represents a Govt of a formation with not so great a majority.
He has to carry many voices and can’t just hop onto the shining white steed and ride into the enemy badlands every now and then. Definitely not when the new age media tracks every single move and dissects it endlessly. Lest we forget we are a country of 1.2 Billion and counting. Throw in million permutation and combinations of aspirations and one would begin to gauge the picture.
He is doing fine. He could have fared better in this dance of democracy no doubt. But he surely isn’t the guy with two left feet. Gandhis may be vote catchers and decent folks but I doubt if they are half as decent as administrators as Mr. Singh is. Really what the Gandhis ought to do is to ensure Mr. Singh is not hobbled.
Are there better folks to lead us on in other parties? Sure, there may be. But let them wait till next elections and get the requisite mandate.
Manamohan Ji you have been made a scape goat by the Congress party. Please wait for Rahul Gandi to open some more gun factories for Crores of Rupees with public money, where guns are never produced, but only votes, (India Today 30th Aug), before you hand over the reigns after taking all the blame. Please do not agree for the Olympics and the Football world cup in Delhi before you hand over. Jai Manamohan Ji
Madam is just proving that you can have your cake and eat it too :)
She will never take up the responsibility. And even when Rahul baba is fecking it up she will ensure there are enough goats around for slaughter.
Tavleen Singh at her usual best …
The recent public survey published in India Today showed that he scored very poorly compared to Rahul Gandhi who despite his popularity is coy to inherit the throne that is ready for his asking. It is much to do with his diffidence when he sees the seemingly intractable problems that country faces. While he talks about younger people coming to the government his own lack of courage shows to take the responsibility. Probably, as a recompense he is happy addressing people all over the country may be strengthening the vote bank for his party. It only means that Manmohan Singh can easily continue this term without any problem and as for his being near his best if policy of drift that relies more on time to solve the problem is his forte there is plenty to reinforce it for when the country is facing the worst political turmoils in its six decades of existence he takes credit that his cabinet is better than either Nehru’s or Indira Gandhi’s for cohesion!