Previously I wrote at Apna Watan that if Manmohan Singh decides not to fight Lok Sabha elections then the opposition parties will legitimately make an issue out of it. Chances are that MMS will not fight elections and Advani et al are attacking him on the issue.
While the Indian Prime Minister could be either from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, historically all the PMs have been from Lok Sabha. Even the most insignificant Indian PM, Inder Kumar Gujral, went ahead and fought Lok Sabha election from Jalandhar. Rajya Sabha, on the other hand, is generally associated with political retirement. Recenly when George Fernandes was denied a ticket from Muzaffarpur, his party colleagues argued that he would be nominated for Rajya Sabha instead.
Fighting Lok Sabha election will prove that Mr Singh has truly arrived as a politician. He ruled India for the past 5 years and it makes sense for him to go to the public and sell his government’s achievements. Mr Singh has done a decent job as PM and can win from one of the many “Congress” constituencies across India if winnability is a concern. He continues to maintain a very clean image and has never been involved in corruption or nepotism. Mr Singh entering the fray will boost the morale of party cadres and instill confidence among other Congress candidates. He should actually lead Congress’s re-election campaign. It was his government afterall. Heck, he should fight from the South Delhi seat and win that seat for Congress just to get back at BJP.
If Mr Singh does not indeed fight elections then this issue has the potential of becoming a “Varun Gandhi” for the Congress and UPA. Manmohan Singh should take cue from Meera Sanyal who took time off from her day job to take the plunge in South Mumbai. For Mr Singh, this IS his day job and he should show up for work.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Mohib,
I agree with you, but 2 points:
a) Why does Hardanalli Doddagodda Deve Gowda not qualify as most insignificant PM? Because of his tongue twister of a name?
b) Did you know that lk advani spent 4 terms (19 long years) in the rajya sabha & was a minister in govt while in the upper house, before he contested elections for the first time? And he’s making noise about this??? Maybe you should do a post on that next?
I agree with you Mohib. Man Mohan Singh should contest elections and become prime minister again. If he is not an elected member he will be targeted by BJP for this reason. And with his fairly good administration for the last 5 years, it will not be difficult for him to win a seat.
http://chowk.com/gallery/1540/46963