After a distinguished career spanning over five decades, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is poised to step away from public life, sources familiar with the matter disclosed on Thursday. Citing the 91-year-old leader’s declining health, insiders revealed that his frailty has made it increasingly challenging for him to fulfill his duties as a parliamentarian.
Despite being a member of the Upper House since 1991, Singh has been conspicuously absent from Parliament’s proceedings this year. An aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked, “He is mentally well, but finds it difficult to move. His return to the Rajya Sabha is out of the question.” The Congress party declined to comment on Singh’s potential retirement.
Singh’s absence was notable during Thursday’s session, where both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former PM Deve Gowda commended the senior Congress leader as they bid farewell to retiring members of the Upper House. Singh, whose term in the Rajya Sabha is set to conclude in April, expressed his regrets in a letter to the House chairperson, citing his inability to attend a dinner for retiring members and participate in a group photograph.
Navigating the new Parliament’s layout and grappling with security concerns have compounded Singh’s attendance challenges, particularly as a wheelchair user. His only public appearance this year was at his daughter’s book launch in January, underscoring the extent of his physical limitations.
Sources revealed that Singh had conveyed his desire to relinquish his Rajya Sabha membership approximately a year ago, recognizing the futility of continuing if he couldn’t discharge his duties effectively. The Congress’s chief spokesperson, Jairam Ramesh, paid tribute to Singh, reflecting on the former PM’s prescient statements and contributions to Indian politics.
Singh’s impending retirement marks the culmination of a storied career that began in 1971 as an economic advisor. Over the ensuing decades, he held prominent positions such as chief economic advisor, governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and finance minister, before assuming the role of prime minister for two terms. Singh’s tenure as finance minister in 1991 saw the ushering in of economic liberalization, while his leadership during the 2008 financial crisis earned him accolades for safeguarding the nation’s economy.
Entering the Rajya Sabha in 1991, Singh’s dignified demeanor and contributions to public service have left an indelible mark on Indian politics. As Rajya Sabha Deputy Chair Harivansh aptly summarized, “Manmohan Singh’s mildness, chivalry, and dignity will always be remembered.” As he prepares to step away from the limelight, Singh leaves behind a legacy that has shaped modern India’s economic trajectory and governance.
Sources By Agencies
