The Constrained Genius

 https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/manmohan-singh-the-constrained-genius/3701578/

Manmohan Singh – The Constrained Genius

Born on September 26, 1932, Singh's journey from an academic economist to becoming India's Prime Minister was marked by significant achievements, and some notable controversies too.

As Dr Manmohan Singh, went gently into the good night at the age of 92, he leaves behind a complex legacy as both an economist and a statesman who played pivotal roles in shaping India’s economic landscape. Born on September 26, 1932, Singh’s journey from an academic economist to becoming India’s Prime Minister was marked by significant achievements, and some notable controversies too.

Manmohan Singh’s most celebrated contribution to India was his role in the 1991 economic liberalisation. As Finance Minister under Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, he was the chief architect behind the reforms that ended what was known as the ‘license raj’, brought down import tariffs, and opened the Indian economy to global markets, setting the stage for India’s economic growth spurt in the subsequent decades. His policies were not merely about economic deregulation but they were also aimed at integrating India into the global economy, which he did with a blend of brilliance and humility, often described as speaking less and achieving more.  During his tenure as Prime Minister for a decade from 2004, Singh’s government continued this legacy. His administration introduced landmark social welfare initiatives like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which aimed at alleviating rural poverty by ensuring 100 days of employment per year to rural households, and the Right to Education Act, which made education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14. His government also navigated the 2008 global financial crisis with relatively little damage to the Indian economy, showcasing his capability to manage crises with stability.

He championed the Right to Information Act, a landmark initiative aimed at fostering transparency and empowering citizens. Ironically, this commitment to openness also unveiled several corruption allegations that his government had to face during its second term, highlighting the complex interplay between accountability and political challenges. 

Singh’s foreign policy, particularly the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, was a significant diplomatic achievement.  It marked a new era in India’s foreign relations and opened up avenues for civilian nuclear cooperation. His diplomatic finesse was often praised for maintaining India’s strategic autonomy while forging stronger international relations.

In spite of these significant accomplishments, Manmohan Singh’s tenure was, in a way, marred by perceptions of his being a “puppet” of the Nehru-Gandhi family, particularly due to Sonia Gandhi’s role within the Congress party as its president. Many of his critics argued that her office worked as a dual power centre that diluted his authority, leading to policy paralysis, as was especially evident during the second term of the United Progressive Alliance. This perception was buttressed by books from former aides like Sanjaya Baru, who highlighted the constraints under which the Prime Minister operated.  In his book, “The Accidental Prime Minister – The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh, Mr Baru quotes Singh as explaining to him that, “There cannot be two centres of power. That creates confusion. I have to accept that the party president is the centre of power. The government is answerable to the party.”  This dynamic, he claims, did severely limit Singh’s autonomy in decision-making.

A series of scams, including the 2G spectrum scandal, Commonwealth Games corruption, and coal block allocations, further dented his image, giving fuel to a narrative of corruption and ineptitude under his watch. The opposition, headed by the BJP, managed to effectively leverage print, television, and social media to megaphone these allegations, bolstered by till-then-unheard-of fantastic figures churned out by the then Comptroller and Auditor General, Vinod Rai. Notably, Rai, who rose to prominence during this turbulent period, later enjoyed multiple high-profile positions during the NDA’s rule following the ouster of Singh’s government in the 2014 general elections.

Since Manmohan’s departure from power, the narrative around the Indian economy and its health has shifted. Under subsequent NDA rule, the economy has seen periods of high volatility, often driven by anomalous headline-grabbing policy decisions rather than the steady, reform-driven approach that Singh embodied. His era was characterized by robust GDP growth, averaging around 8.5% for most of his tenure (notably, without any allegations of data suppression or manipulation), but post-Singh, India has faced criticisms for economic policy decisions that seem more reactive to political cycles than to long-term economic strategy. The Indian Rupee has depreciated significantly, reaching an all-time low, which has sparked debates on economic management, inflation control, and export competitiveness. This shift from a time of economic reform and stability to one where the economy is often discussed in terms of immediate political gains or losses reflects a departure from the disciplined economic governance Manmohan Singh was known for. The economic policies under subsequent governments have faced criticism for lacking the depth and foresight that characterised Singh’s approach, leading to, what has become, a less predictable economic landscape.

Manmohan Singh’s legacy will remain one of profound economic transformation juxtaposed with political controversies. His tenure saw India emerge as a significant player in global economics, yet it ended with criticisms over governance and autonomy. His death marks the end of an era where economic policy was driven by a statesman known for his intellect and integrity, and a somewhat silent yet impactful leadership style. His contributions to the Indian economy can never be undermined and will be long remembered, even as the country navigates new economic realities in his absence.