Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a universally respected man well known for his prowess as an economist, and recognized as the man responsible for India’s economic resurgence in the nineties.
He has a CV to die for. He has a clean record. He is cool and pleasant natured. He is respected by all.
It is April 2009, and the general elections are upon us. The Indian proletariat is going to the polls in one of the biggest logistical exercises of our times. Manmohan Singh is the Congress’ Prime Ministerial candidate.
But there’s some issues bothering us, and issues we would like addressed before we can decide who to vote for.
First is the fact that you are not even contesting the election.
You have never been elected to the Lok Sabha, and are currently a member of the Rajya Sabha. In 1999 you ran for South Delhi, but lost the election.
Yet you are the Prime Minister. And hoping for a second term.
Now here’s the thing – we the aam aadmi were told that we will go to the polling booth and vote for some people, and that will lead to the formation of a government. The leader of that government will be the Prime Minister of the country.
If you didn’t even come to us to get our vote, do you deserve to become the Prime Minister? The Constitution may allow a Rajya Sabha member to become PM, but that doesn’t mean that the leader of the (ostensibly) largest party shouldn’t even bother contesting the elections.
As citizens, do we at least deserve that little favor from you? Does public opinion mean anything in the world’s biggest democracy?
You say that you are not going to fight the elections because of your health. If you have health problems, then shouldn’t someone in better physical condition be given the responsibility of leading the country? God forbid. The pressures of being PM must be many.
Also, what’s going on with Advani? You are the leader of Congress, and he of BJP. These are the largest parties in India currently. Why would you refuse his offer of televised debates to ‘deny him the privilege of being the alternate PM‘ ? He is as much an alternate PM as you are. Doesn’t he deserve being acknowledged as such?
Terrorism has become the bane of our existence, and as expected it is one of the bigger issues in this election. You and the other Congress leaders have been attacking the BJP raising the unfortunate events from Kandahar. Makes us wonder what a Congress government might have done to save the 200 odd passengers on board that flight. After 11/26 we are not quite convinced that the Congress is any better equipped to handle terrorist events of such magnitude.
You have health problems. By your admission, you cannot match Advani in public speaking. You don’t want to contest the elections. It is widely claimed, and believed, that you are not even the true leader of the Congress.
Why then should you become Prime Minister of India?
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[...] More here: Questions for Mr Manmohan Singh [...]
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If only he really answers these questions honestly!!!
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You have written things I have been harping about these days.
I feel contempt for Sonia Gandhi, only because she is responsible for demeaning two highest leadership positions in India: PM and President. We have two classiest puppets in these esteemed positions. I wish she had become the Prime Minister herself and faced everything upfront rather than being called behind-the-back-ringmaster.
There are so many things I want to write and say on the issue, I would rather put a stop on it right now. I can say this was a post after my own heart.
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i really respect and love you a lot , please keep up the good work and you will lead us for another 5 years and maybe after that also ……….. thank you for everything !!!! rab rakha .
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Awesome!
All the questions I want to ask Mannu Ji too!
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Bravo.Clap Clap Clap.
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It’s great that your website saves my details and I don’t have to fill in everytime I comment!
Even then I have visited your blog after 1-2 months I think! I guess I am behind in blog reading on the whole.
About this post, I really liked it AD. In fact these questions have been bothering me too. But then the question is who else can be PM in the Congress? As for the debate I am not surprised he refused. He is not capable to answering the clever Advani.
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Dude
great questions only if we had TV show where bloggers could ask questions 
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Very well said, AD. Exactly the questions that all of us should be asking. Healthy enough to be PM but not healthy enough to contest? That should win him the comedian of the year award.
Quirky Indian
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is it possible that the prime minister knows that the average man would want to vote for some one less educated (that is, on par with himself), more flashy (say, Govinda or Azhar) and some one more in the news, even if it for the wrong reason?
I agree about the health issue, but totally agree with the PM that a person like Advani should be severely ignored.
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Thats the art of being PM and the kind India Needs. We are fortunate to have PM like Manmohan Singh who was ready to give up his post for sake of welfare of Nation. Can any Politician match his calibre?
He speaks less because he acts on every promise he makes. But unfortunately some Indians consider leader to those who are good speaker and poor performer like Advani- The weakest home minister ever see. He was not aware of that Jaswant Singh will accompany terrorist to Kandhar, when every one in the country was aware of this fact. …. LOL…..
Was he sleeping or went in to hiding from terrorist that he should not be kidnapped? HHa ha ha ha ha Advani– the home minister— was not even watching or reading newspaper…
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@Smita – I doubt the honest answers will ever come. Seems like Democracy and honesty dont go together.
@Poonam – Like you and me, there’s many people who wonder about what is going on. When are we going to rise above the Gandhis and choose the leaders on merit. Rahul Gandhi hasnt really done anything till now, yet he is being touted as the next PM. For all you know, MMS might just be a facade, and when the time comes Rahul will be made PM. Makes me sad, but what can we do about it?
@Indyeah – Thanks. So do a billion people.
@Mesingh – Glad to see you liked this post so much.
@Nita – Glad you liked the post. Welcome back
Most likely it was just the browser that saved your details. Anyway, great that you don’t have to put in the effort to type in every time. One less reason for not commenting!
The problem with the Congress seems that they dont even want to find any leaders other than the Gandhis. They have some talented people who will never get the chance because for now they are all just looking at Rahul Gandhi, who doesnt seem that competent.
@Chirag – Good idea. Maybe we should start a new channel now
@QI – Thanks. There’s too much comedy going on in politics…it will be a tough competition!
@Roshni – Welcome to Amreekandesi!
It is certainly possible that he is scared of losing to someone he deems less worthy, but that is the whole point of democracy. It is the people who should decide who is worthy or not. If the PM is worried he will lose the election, then he doesnt deserve to be PM.
@Prasoon – Art? Art of deception? Art of making a mockery of democracy?
I too was impressed when he took the bold steps he did related to the nuclear deal. That’s the sort of actions we expect from such an intelligent man. Not contesting the elections and making statements reeking of double standards – this is not something a person as learned as Manmohan Singh is expected to do.
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Very nice thought provoking post! and I share the same feelings as Poonam.
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The most relevant questions – which I guess most of us are dying to ask him!! Such a pity that someone as educated and respected as Dr Manmohan Singh is just a puppet in the hands of 10, Janpath….
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Well, Congress does not have anyone else it seems. Indians won’t take Sonia Gandhi as the PM. We have seen all the drama it created. If not MS, then who?
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All those who think Manmohan Singh is puppet.. I feel pitty for them…Those commentators are puppet in hand of BJP and are unable to think beyond what BJP says..
Yesterday Arun Jaitly regarded Manmohan Singh as shrewed politician…
In matter of performance.. Choose the one who can perform and not the one who only talks..This is common sense… feel pitty for those who don’t have it..
Wroking prime minister- Policy of 91, nuclear deal OR sleeping Home Minister— Kandhaar (Advani openly admitted that he was not aware of devlopment). DECIDE…
Don’t just write for the sake of arguing…. Thinking right is not bad… You will gain and nation will gain if you cross check the logic and need of India…Do 360 degree evaluation before you write..
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@Dinesh – Thanks.
@Smitha – Doesnt look like these questions will ever be answered. In our democracy only the questions with convenient answers get a response!
@Amit – I dont think Indians’ objections have anything to do with Sonia not being PM. The question is not about MMS becoming PM – he certainly has the qualifications. Its just that if you want to become PM, then get elected. Don’t take a shortcut.
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@Prasoon –
1. Pitty is spelt pity.
2. Ellipsis should have 3 dots (…).
3. When sentences end they should be terminated with a full stop, not an ellipsis. 4. You should try to avoid using the same word repeatedly, and certainly try spelling it correctly.
5. Raise your points, but try avoid using a condescending tone. That most often ends up being counter productive.
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sir i m handicapped boy from handicapped family,
name bikram singh
father ram kishan singh age 62 yrs come under senior citizen
bother deaf n mute n her wife is deaf n mute
mother pass way
my father has face an accident in the 1994 n he file case in court but 14 yrs has pass way there is no result is their n jugde fro money , n the has never a notice to opposite party,,
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my name is bikram singh
father ram kishan singh
brother ashish singh
mother pass way
address 25nila bhavan 108 kn road chinch bunder mumbai 400009
phone number 9867304862, 9820866554
my father 62 yrs he has face n accident n has face brain hamrge he was in coma for 24 days in jjj hospital n in bhatia hospital ,he file case in the year 1994 n 14 yrs as pass way but no result even the jugde has not send notice to the lic…. what is this sir what law n order i dont under if handicapped what will happen to other if u can help we thankful to u sir,
my brother is deaf n mute n her wife is deaf n mute ,
bikram singh……….
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i want to ask when the poverty, unemployment,corruption will overcome from india.every system is worst. because of unemployment most of educated adults are in dipression.who is responsible? i am one of them. totally frustrated.
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sir my name is bikram singh age 33 yrs, i m staying in mumbai sir i interesed 2 have ticket from your party can u give me a chance from your congress party OR
SIR I WANT SALE MY SELF ,
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Dear Sir, The current relationship between India and China seems worse. Though our government says there wont be any conflict between India and China or we have good relation with China, the truth is known by all. In anyway we cannot be complacent. My question to you is What if China and Pakistan combinedly or separately wage a war against India. Are we prepared to meet it? Will Russia Or United States come for helping us? Do we need to improve our strategic relationship with these countries to get their help in case of war. As a citizen of India, I feel insecure for me as well asffor my fellow citizens.
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Respected sir,mr manmohan singhji,
This shall find you in best of health,
sir my name is bikram singh
sir i m writing u this on behalf of father.
my father name is , ramkishen singh , come under senior citizen age 63yrs, sirji sir he meet an accident in 1993 in shahpur while coming from shirdi on his car ambassdor,the whole was in that car , but i was not in car, he was in coma he was in bhatia hospital for 24days, after that he was in bad rest one n half years,then made claim but some underworld n some of mla , n mp , has done like that stop the claim ,how they stop not explain in this comments …17yrs already pass on, but not any result come due this thinks,this family totaly handicapped
mother , passway
brother , deaf n mute n his wife deaf n mute
i m handicapped….
if you take action in this matter …
this handicapped waiting for justice n , against , the underworld mla , mp how the stop i can not explain in this comment ….sir manmohan singh ji be god for this family. thanks for answere, note sirji i m writing wrong website address because i dont have any website address……buy my HINESS. NEED YOUR .
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Respeted Mr. Manmohan Sing sir,
What is you new policy on infletion? and i thing congress ka hat rais logo ke sath?, because today your whole policy as per usa based pls change the policy and thing about our indian public, Nahi to next election will be lost mejority of congresss,Which types of poor and underpowerty line peoples policy?
My sugestion to your all administration dept. to pls show you policies through electronic media and print media, because orninary public dont know that is happening with them right or wrong? So please change your some policies related to the poor people? pls you should hike rates on luxuries goods and makeup the lost from that?
Thanks
Pawar N.S. -Maharashtra
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