Is Manmohan Singh Apolitical?

In the history of Indian politics, the term 'Apolitical' has never been emphasized and used so much as it is in the 2009 General Elections. Surprisingly, the term is used for our current Premeir and UPA's Prime Ministerial candidate for the ongoing LS polls, Manmohan Singh. When this Oxford graduated economist was pushed to become the PM of India after 2004 elections, it was due to an unexpected and sudden shift in the course of events. He was called an apolitical Prime Minister and a few had faith in his ability to run a coalition government. Understandably, after all it requires more political than academic experience to understand and control our manipulative and intense political system, and our dear Manmohan Singh had never even won an election.

But, after successfully running a coalition government at the center for 5 years, is it right to call him apolitical? The answer is a plain straight NO. This was an apologue created by some of his fellow congressman to reap on his squeaky-clean image and to avoid him from being judged under the same ruthless guideliness as all other Indian politicians are. Manmohan Singh has come a long way in the last 5 years. The acceptance of prime ministership offered to him in 2004 hitherto by chance, may be the political call of his life and start of his career as a real politician. Running a coaltion government for 5 years with the Yadavs, Pawars, Karunanidhis and Karats is a no apolitical person's forte. It's a feat which a person with great political acumen and well-versed in political dealing can only achieve.

In 1991 during the P.V. Narasimha government, even though MMS fearlessly spearheaded the crucial economic reforms agenda, he was not under the direct fire from the opposition parties and was not directly responsible to the Indian masses. But, while heralding the Indo-US nuclear deal, Singh knew that any wrong step at this point, will not only cost dear to his country and party, but will also mark the end of his own political career. So much was he convinced with the deal being in favor of long-term national interests that he selflessly pursued it, even after Left's threat of pulling the support. The way he covertly roped in Samajwadi Party's support to win the no-confidence motion against his government on July 22, were signals of his rise as a confident and skilled politician. The signing of Indo-US nuclear pact may well be called the corner stone of Manmohan Singh's albeit short, but successful stint as a politician.

Before signing off, India needs a leader who is 'apolitically political,' i.e. we need a prime minister who thinks apolitically & selflessly on the issues, policies and reforms of national interests, but at the same time showcase his/her political savviness and grit while implementing such policies and reforms.

-Kartavya Jain