The recent release of Vijay Ratnakar Gutte’s ‘Accidental Prime Minister’- a film based on policy analyst Sanjay Baru’s memoir on Manmohan Singh’s tenure as a PM- has generated a heated public debate. On the one hand, BJP has left no opportunity to use this film to launch scathing attack on Gandhi family ahead of 2019 general elections. On the other hand, Congress and other public intellectuals have criticised the ruling party for using the film as their propaganda strategy. Whether or not, Manmohan Singh was an accidental PM, he definitely was a PM who commanded integrity and credibility. Singh not only helped India during turbulent time of 2008 global economic meltdown, but also was graceful in dealing with opposition. Calling him an accidental prime minister is not only wrong, but also disservice to a man who has proved his credentials as RBI governor, Finance Minister, and two-time PM of India.
After the 2004 general elections, when the Indian National Congress emerged as the single largest party and UPA-I formed the government, there were several round of discussions to decide upon the next PM. In a surprise move, then Congress president Sonia Gandhi refused take the charge of PMO and nominated Dr Singh instead. While the move was surprising, it was widely appreciated at that time mainly because of the clean image Dr Singh enjoyed among the masses and political leaders alike. According to the BBC, ‘Dr Singh has enjoyed massive popular support, not least because he was seen by many as a clean politician untouched by the taint of corruption that has run through many Indian administrations’. Further, his two consecutive terms in the office as PM and his stint as FM in 1991 proved that there was more to the man than the silence that he very gracefully wore. From bringing saving Indian economy in 1991 to bringing RTI to empower citizen and uphold the ethos of democracy, his role in politics and economics cannot be undermined. to
His economic brilliance was seen when he managed to help India survive the 2008 financial meltdown as Singh’s policies, unlike the present regime, were focused on strengthening internal markets .When the whole world was battling the worst economic crisis of the century,India stood tall..He took the finance portfolio within his fold and by working in tandem with the RBI shielded Indian economy from the global financial crisis.During his eight year tenure India enjoyed a sustained GDP growth of eight percent.Praising Dr.Singh former US President Barack Obama during his visit to India in 2017 said, “(Manmohan) Singh was the primary partner while we were working during the financial meltdown (of 2008),” .
Amid the widespread media onslaught pointed at Singh, he was always clear with his policies and decisions. He silenced his critics, who saw him as a silent puppet, with his strong stand on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal in 2005 in the face of strong opposition by the Left parties, which were then part of his government. On July 9, 2008, the Left Front in a major jolt to UPA government withdrew its support to the government reducing its strength to 276 in the Lok Sabha. However, even in the backdrop of stiff opposition against the Nuclear Deal Dr.Singh survived no-confidence motion in the Parliament.
Furthermore, he was hailed for his pro-poor and rights-based policies that ushered India into the right direction of overall development. While his Food Security Act gave a threefold increase in food subsidy and Compulsory Education Act made education a fundamental right of children between the ages of 6 and 14, his government added over two lakh km of new roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
Looking at what all Manmohan Singh has done for our country,he is a triumphant Prime Minister not an accidental PM. The Independent described Singh as “one of the world’s most revered leaders” and “a man of uncommon decency and grace,” noting that he drives a Maruti 800, one of the humblest cars in the Indian market. Now such a dignified man who by his undefined grace and simplicity cannot be called a accidental Prime Minister. He was the Prime Minister of India because of his uttermost hard work and clearly he did justice to the country.This is the same man who did more than anyone to earn his country a worldwide character as the world’s next big economic success story. Manmohan Singh deserves better from the people of the country.