Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Retirement Marks the End of an Era in Indian Politics

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh bid farewell to the Rajya Sabha on April 3, concluding a remarkable 33-year tenure in the Indian Parliament. Singh, a pivotal figure in Indian politics, is widely recognized for his instrumental role in steering India towards economic liberalization during his tenure as Finance Minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991.

Throughout his political career, Manmohan Singh played a vital part in shaping the direction of the Indian economy. He later served two terms as the Prime Minister of the Congress-led UPA government from 2004 to 2014, overseeing the implementation of several key social welfare programs such as MNREGA, DBT, and the Aadhaar initiative.

Singh’s leadership was a mix of accomplishments and challenges, with his administrations facing criticism over issues such as corruption scandals and inflation. Despite these hurdles, Singh’s contributions to Indian politics are indelible.

Following the defeat of the Congress-led UPA government in 2014, the path was paved for Narendra Modi to assume the role of Prime Minister in the BJP-led NDA government. Since then, Modi has been a prominent figure in Indian politics, currently seeking a third term in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections starting April 19.

Manmohan Singh, hailing from Assam, represented the state in the Rajya Sabha for multiple terms before transitioning to Rajasthan in his final term, meeting the parliamentary requirements for Prime Ministership.

Not devoid of controversies, Singh’s tenure encapsulated a mixture of accomplishments and criticisms. Despite facing flak for being labeled a ‘weak’ Prime Minister, Singh stood by his government’s decisions, emphasizing the role history would play in acknowledging his contributions.

In a notable instance, Singh expressed concerns over the potential consequences of having Narendra Modi as Prime Minister prior to the Lok Sabha elections in 2014. However, in later years, he regretted using such strong language.

Singh’s critiques extended to economic policies like demonetization and GST implemented by the Modi government. Speaking candidly on these economic reforms, Singh pointed out the challenges they posed to India’s economy.