Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India who is infamous for rarely opening his mouth to speak, wrote a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind alleging that he felt threatened by PM Modi’s speech at a recent rally. Narendra Modi in a rally in Hubli district of Karnataka said that “If leaders of the Congress cross the line, they have to pay for it because they are doing it against Modi”. Now Manmohan Singh, irked by this simple line has written a two-page letter saying that Modi is threatening Congress leaders. Opposition’s criticism of this statement is like the age old saying of “Chor ki Daadhi me Tinka” because PM Modi has told Congress leaders not to cross the line. It seems that Congress leaders are too self conscious and guilty, which is why they are expressing their reservations on the above statement by Modi. The letter was also signed by senior Congress leaders P Chidambaram, Anand Sharma, Ambika Soni, Mallikarjun Kharge, Motilal Vohra, Kamal Nath, Ashok Gehlot, Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik and Karan Singh. Why should they worry if they haven’t crossed the line? This clearly indicates a sense of guilt on the part of Manmohan Singh and other senior Congress leaders.
Manmohan Singh, speaking to reporters in Karnataka, said “No prime minister in our country has used the office of prime minister to say things about his opponent the way Mr. Modi has been doing day in and day out… It is very shocking to see the Prime Minister of the country stoop so low and use language and frame ideologies that are unbecoming of a Prime Minister”.
It is fascinating to see former Prime Minister of India speaking on such minor things, since during his premiership he never spoke on issues as large as of 2G Spectrum Scam (2008) Satyam Scam (2009) Commonwealth Games Scam (2010) Coal Scam (2012) Chopper Scam (2012) Adarsh Scam (2012)that took place right under his nose. In fact, his government was more famous for scams than anything else. When asked about his silence on various scams and issues, he famously said “Hazaaron Jawabon Se Acchi Hai Meri Khamoshi, Na Jaane Kitne Sawaalon Ki Aabru Rakh gayee”. He did not speak when he was accused of involvement in coal block allocation scam. Since sitting on opposition benches, his activities increased exponentially and today one can see him comment on every trivial issue. If he had done the same during his tenure then perhaps Congress would not have to sit on opposition benches.
Congress leaders are themselves infamous for their arrogant behavior towards media and other controversial statements. Suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had called PM Modi “Neech kism ka aadmi” (a lowly person) a few months back, as he could not digest the fact that a person coming from a humble background became the Prime Minister of India. Shashi Tharoor, when asked if he would travel cattle class the next time he visited Kerala, Mr. Tharoor tweeted sarcastically: “Absolutely, in cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows!”. This statement shows elitism in the Congress leader’s behavior. Another Congress leader Raj Babbar was ridiculed by people when he said “a hearty meal in Mumbai can be bought for Rs. 12.”
“The threat held out by the Prime Minister to the Congress leadership deserves to be condemned,” said the letter signed by several Congress leaders. Congress leaders asking PM Modi to use good language is laughable and hypocritical since their leaders have themselves never adhered to the rule. Instead of asking PM Modi to use good language. Manmohan Singh and other hypocrites within the Congress are the ones who need to behave properly, keeping in mind his own silence in the past when he should have been open to the public about how the nation was being looted under his leadership.