Manmohan Singh Should Contest Lok Sabha Polls

Manmohan Singh Should Contest Lok Sabha Polls

There is a long ongoing debate on whether or not Manmohan Singh should contest in the Lok Sabha elections 2009, or if we look at a broad picture the question actually should be ---- whether a country's premier or any person for that matter holding a dignified ministerial porfolio in Indian government should be required to contest and win a Lok Sabha seat.

While the constitution allows the Prime Minister to be either a Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha member, our history does not seem completely in line with it. None of the Indian Prime Ministers till date have continued 2 terms as a member of Rajya Sabha. One may argue that even former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi started her Prime Ministerial career as a member of Rajya Sabha and so did H.D. Deve Gowda and Inder Kumar Gujral. But, the point of contention is that all these premiers went on to contest and win Lok Sabha election later on in their political career. Even Inder Kumar Gujral with less than an year tenure as the PM and no achievements of national progress, was able to manage a thumping win.

Focussing on MMS, if he doesn't contest the elections the opposition (specifically BJP) will legitimately make an issue out of it and paint his image as a weak politician (not to mention that BJP had Jaswant Singh who infact lost in 1999 LS elections, holding 3 very critical ministerial portfolios during its reign). MMS's only appearnce and loss in 1999 Lok Sabha elections doesn't help his cause either. Manmohan Singh has done a decent job as the Indian Prime Minister in the last 5 years by achieving various goals of national progress and public welfare. He has shown grit and determination on various fronts be it Indo-US nuclear deal or dealing with our menaching than ever neighbor. Its high time that the MAN behind India's 'Economic Boom,' should show that he has arrived as a politician too. He should actually be leading the campaign for UPA and selling his achievements to the Indian public face to face. Infact, for him to contest & win the same seat in South Delhi where he lost a few years ago, will be the most fitting reply to the opposition. MMS's decision to contest the election will truly act as a shot in the arm for the UPA cadres and will leave the opposition with a herculean task of finding a flaw in his SUPER CLEAN image. Manmohan Singh's postive move will help Indian voters entrust confidence in his political abilities and may well take the UPA clearly ahead of its opposition.

Amendment in the constitution may be the need of the hour!!

Change for GOOD and not just Change is what we NEED!!

- Kartavya Jain