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Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president, once shared her reasoning behind selecting Manmohan Singh to lead the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2004. Reflecting on her decision, Gandhi stated that she was aware of her limitations and believed Singh was better suited for the role of Prime Minister.
“I knew my limitations. I knew Manmohan Singh would be a better prime minister than me,” she said during an interview when asked why she chose not to assume the position despite leading the UPA to victory in the 2004 general elections.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday at AIIMS Delhi at the age of 92. Earlier that evening, his health deteriorated, and he was admitted to the hospital’s emergency department.
Legacy and Leadership
Manmohan Singh served as India’s Prime Minister for two consecutive terms, from 2004 to 2014.
His tenure marked a period of notable economic growth and the implementation of transformative reforms such as the Right to Information Act and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. He also played a pivotal role in the historic Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal.
However, his leadership faced criticism, with allegations of corruption scandals and concerns over indecisiveness casting shadows over his otherwise commendable tenure.
Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha on April 3, 2024, after a distinguished political career. He was the first Sikh to hold the office of Prime Minister. Singh had been sworn into the Rajya Sabha in 1999, four months after being appointed Finance Minister by P.V. Narasimha Rao.
