Retributions  

Manmohan Singh’s continuance threatens Institutional integrity.

The defining feature of Manmohan Singh has been the refusal to take responsibility. Manmohan Singh has proved to be a pusillanimous prime minister–ready to crawl when asked merely to bend. Both internal security and economic reforms have been sacrificed at the altar of political expediency. Manmohan Singh never seems to have realized that he is no longer a bureaucrat but the executive head of the government.

After being repeatedly pushed around for three years by his allies– primarily the Left–the prime minister finally seemed to have developed a spine. He staked his personal reputation on the Indo-US nuclear deal. By throwing the gauntlet to the Left, the prime minister ensured that even those not exactly enamored with his style of functioning, viewed him with certain respect.

Unfortunately, the brave words haven’t translated into action. When the push came to shove, the prime minister–as he has done too frequently–threw in the towel. If a report in CNN-IBN is to believed, the prime minister was virtually threatened and humiliated in his meeting with the Left parties. It was quite simply battle of attrition. As we have come to expect, the prime minister blinked first choosing to swallow his pride so the government and his prime ministership could be saved.

But this is not merely Manmohan Sigh’s humiliation. India could live with that. It is belittling of the position of the prime minister. Granted in a coalition, the prime minister is merely the first among equals. It’s not necessarily a bad thing as it keeps dictatorial tendencies in check. But despite the process of give and take, it is well established that the final decision must rest with the prime minister. The bucks stops with him. By accepting the extra-constitutional authorities–the Left leaders are not even part of the government–Manmohan Singh’s meek surrender compromises the constitutional framework which is the bedrock of Indian democracy. It perpetuates a perverse system where power can be exercised by outsiders without responsibility.

We have been told, repeatedly, that the prime minister is essentially a good man. That maybe exactly so. Manmohan Singh’s personal integrity is unquestioned. However, of what use is such integrity when it undermines Indian democracy? Of what use is such integrity when it compromises the national interest?

India today stands at the threshold of greatness where she requires decisive and strong leadership. Manmohan Sigh had the opportunity of influencing India’s destiny as no leader in the past had done. He had the rare opportunity of not merely to voice policies but to actually implement them. On all scores, he has failed abysmally.

Offstumped has called upon Sonia Gandhi to let Manmohan Singh resign gracefully. I must respectfully disagree. It is not Sonia Gandhi’s call who is anyway preparing for her son’s ascension to the throne. It is Manmohan Singh’s. It is incumbent upon Manmohan Singh to ponder over his legacy. Does he wish to be known as India’s weakest prime minister? Is is his legacy limited to being a career bureaucrat destined to be a perpetual file-pusher?

This blog has in the past accused Manmohan Sigh of being ”the gatekeeper of 10 janpath”. I have seen no reason to revise my opinion. Indeed, from being the gatekeeper, he seems to have been elevated to the position of cradle-pusher for India’s first family. Is that a suitable position for India’s intellectual prime minister?

Manmohan Singh has failed to rule with grace. The least he can do–both for his legacy and India’s future–is to resign with grace.

Mr Prime Minister: Prove your critics wrong. Resign.