AICC leaders eulogise MMS demise

NT Correspondent

Belagavi: Congress national leaders expressed shock and anguish at the sudden passing of two-time Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Thursday evening. The Grand Old Party was just wrapping up the Congress Working Committee Congress (CWC) and adopting two resolutions in the process in Belagavi when news came in Dr Singh’s passing. Everyone from Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Lok Sabha to All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge to AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh expressed sorrow at the demise. “Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity.

His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family. I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Rahul Gandhi posted on the social media site X (previously Twitter). Mallikarjun Kharge said that Singh was right in saying that history would judge him kindly in relation to corruption allegations and the like in his second term as PM under the UPA from 2009 to 2014. “Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji! With the passing of the Former Prime Minister, India has lost a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature.

His policy of Economic Liberalisation and Rights-based welfare paradigm profoundly transformed the lives of crores of Indians, virtually creating a Middle Class in India and lifting crores out of poverty,” he posted. “I mourn the loss of a lifelong senior colleague, a gentle intellectual and a humble soul who embodied the aspirations of India, having risen through the ranks with unwavering dedication. I am proud to have been a part of his Cabinet as Labour Minister, Railway Minister and Social Welfare Minister,” he added.

Privatisation role highlighted: Jairam Ramesh pointed out that India’s privatization transformation was in great part led by Singh. “He was the technocratic transformer of the Indian economy through his 1991, 1992, and other budgets. His Prime Ministership saw revolutionary legislation relating to rural employment, tribal rights, reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs, primary education, food security, and land acquisition.

The Indo-US nuclear agreement was a landmark that enhanced India’s global status. His Prime Ministership saw the highest GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth rate in the country’s history,” Jairam Ramesh posted. “He recruited me to the Planning Commission in September 1986 and since then it was my good fortune to have been associated intimately with him for the next 38 years. “In his inimitable and distinctive way, Dr. Manmohan Singh has left his indelible imprint on our history,” he added.