Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has declared that the "bogus crusade" against former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has concluded, following the Supreme Court's clean chit in the long-standing coal block allocation case. In a strongly worded opinion piece, Gandhi stated that this verdict brings closure to "one of the most tragic arcs of our public discourse."
Gandhi lauded Dr. Singh as a man of "remarkable probity and integrity," asserting that he was the target of a "coordinated and well-organised" lobbying effort. She detailed the broad participation in this campaign, citing involvement from the bureaucracy, media, judiciary, civil society, and notably, the RSS and BJP.
Vindication and Contrast with Current Government
"Today, their bogus crusade has come to its inevitable conclusion of nothingness. Dr Singh has been vindicated on every count," Gandhi wrote. She drew a stark contrast between Dr. Singh's record of integrity and accountability and the operations of the current Narendra Modi government, which she accused of "clearly and grossly misusing agencies designed to investigate crime and corruption like the ED and the CBI."
She further alleged that under the Modi government, leaders are either coerced into silence, absorbed into the BJP, or rewarded with ministerial positions, while credible accusations of corruption against the current administration are simply disregarded.
PM Modi's Role and Call for Introspection
Gandhi specifically pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as among "the most vocal proponents of the attack on Dr Singh." She suggested that since PM Modi has recently spoken of "forgiving" students, he should "take this opportunity to forgive himself for his undignified slander against Dr Singh." Emphasizing the need for self-reflection, she added, "Introspection, like charity, must begin from home."
According to Gandhi, the attacks on Dr. Singh were driven by a desperate desire to divert public attention from his exceptional performance as Prime Minister.
Singh's Legacy of Growth and Transparency
Gandhi highlighted Dr. Singh's pivotal role in ushering in "profound economic change" for India. She recalled his leadership during the 2008 global recession, which saw India demonstrate remarkable resilience. His tenure, she noted, was characterized by robust growth and the initiation of a "new era of transparency in government" through the landmark Right to Information Act.
She concluded by expressing that Dr. Singh's statesmanship, erudition, and fundamental decency are profoundly missed in today's conflicted political landscape. Gandhi affirmed that history would indeed remember him kindly as a "quiet, gentle but a most consequential prime minister," echoing Dr. Singh's own prophetic words.