Rationale of Failure

Many people are really puzzled that Manmohan Singh, so called architect of India's economic reforms as the finance minister failed so miserably next time around as the PM and actually worked against the core ideas that he promoted as the finance minister.

Actually it is not difficult to understand why he acted the way he acted if one can see what kind of person is Manmohan Singh.

He is not a politician - that everyone knows but he is also not a leader very few could discern.

India's position as an economic superpower was vision of leaders like Narsimha Rao and Vajpayee, they were no expert in economics and need not be. They delegated the task of drawing up the roadmap to subject matter experts like Manmohan Singh. They ensured that they created the political will, challenged detractors and won over opposition to realize the vision. In short they had what it took to drive their agendas for growth and development.

Manmohan Singh has no such skills and attributes, nor an iota of passion (since he does not have any dream), he has been a seasoned bureaucrat and only knows to swim with the political current, which he has successfully done all his life. Since he has no agenda and dream he has no equity and works like a 9-5 employee. He gives a damn to which way the country goes till he can keep his master happy and keep his job.

He has done bidding for his masters and has never exhibited any signs of vision, leadership or spine. He brought these very qualities to the office of Prime Minister and reduced himself and the office to level of Sonia Gandhi's PA. He has not only violated the spirit of the office but also defiled it.

Sonia was no fool when she selected him as "her" PM. Though it seemed counter intuitive why she would opt for a person who was supposedly close to Narsimha Rao, but it proved to be a master stroke.

She got a PM who looked great on paper was very marketable to media and public, owing to his image as a scholar and honest person. He was weak and servile enough never to challenge the real power and was always available on her beck and call - like a proverbial civil servant. She is sure that Manmohan Singh is a trusted person who will babysit the office till Rahul comes of age and can ascend to the office.

This is a win win for both but unfortunately the people of India are the eventual losers!