The
background of this AFP photograph might be just a coincidence but at the
moment, it shows what Manmohan Singh needs the most in the real terms now, rays
of wisdom like these sunrays to save the day for him.
|
AFP photograph taken from AFP report on its website ((AFP/File, Prakash Singh) |
Manmohan
Singh, the second-time prime minister again reminded the nation called India about the
adverse effects of the negative publicity generated due to corruption
allegations. He preached us that the ‘mindlessly’ created atmosphere on
corruption is doing harm to the country.
In
an anti-graft conference he said, “The mindless atmosphere of negativity and
pessimism that is sought to be created over the issue of corruption can do us
no good. It can only damage our nation's image and hit at the morale of the
executive”.
That
sounds so phoney now, especially after the endless United Progressive Alliance
(UPA) corruption saga and the corruption-wheel has reached to the most elite
political family of the UPA-2 coalition and the country.
He
talks of the morale of the executive but who would care for the morale of the
majority of the Indians that his own government is bringing down?
Manmohan’s
lame-duck and trite remarks at the fag-end of his lame-duck prime-ministerial
season-II were nothing but belittling him even more especially as they came on
a day when his government’s law minister was labeled with corruption and
forgery allegations.
A
news channel’s sting operation and investigation found that the Zakir Hussain
Memorial Trust, an NGO run by Salman Khurshid and his wife Louise Khurshid,
forged documents to manipulate funds (Rs. 71.5 Lakh) of a project of the Union
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment aimed at helping physically
challenged people in many districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Law
minister facing serious corruption allegations- now, Mr. Manmohan Singh, the
honourable prime minister of India, tell us - doesn’t it bring the image of the
nation down and hurt the morale of the Manmohan’s ‘aam aadmi’?
Though,
there have been denials but they are like defenses made for Robert Vadra - not
at all satisfactory. Some said Khurshids are a prestigious family and why would
they do any such thing for such a small sum (Rs. 71.5 Lakh). Now, probably,
such fellows are not aware that over 65 per cent of the Indians survive on Rs.
3500 a month and could never earn Rs. 71.5 Lakh in their lifetime. Also, this
might be just one revelation. Khurshids’ NGO works on different projects in
many states of India.
Who knows we might come across similar stories if a proper probe is carried
out.
But
a probe is unlikely like the probe of allegations on Robert Vadra. Your
government has already denied any probe possibility. And even if a probe is
launched, no one should expect anything groundbreaking. After all, its
Manmohan’s CBI; its Manmohan’s ED; its Manmohan’s CVC; its Manmohan’s police;
and so it is of Sonia; and so it is of Salman Khurshid.
And
how can Manmohan allow the probe to happen as he says it would bring down the
morale of his men (though they continue to indulge in corrupt activities)?
Mr.
Manmohan Singh, do you realize your fundamentals have started stinking now?
And
so, when Manmohan’s dull rhetoric comes midst the image-tarnishing projectiles
of Robert Vadra and Salman Khurshid, this unsolicited advice makes him look
even more pathetic, not even ruin of the personal integrity he was known for
during his first stint at the prime minister.
It
just affirms once more that he is a man of ‘doublespeak’ now.
In
the context, what makes Manmohan sound even more ridiculous are the three
developments on the economic front that talk of policy paralysis and corruption
in India
while lowering the country’s growth forecast.
The
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have lowered India’s
2012 growth projections significantly and S&P has warned again of
credit-rating downgrade in the next 24 months if the situation is not handled
properly.
And
Mr. Prime Minister, your top men are facing allegations of swindling funds
meant for the physically challenged at this crunch time.