Former two-term Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92 in Delhi. The economist-turned-politician was the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, a period that saw global uncertainties which the country mitigated relatively unhurt, thanks to his policies.
Despite his track record, Dr Singh was widely projected by the Opposition as a weak Prime Minister, mocked as a rubber stamp, and criticised for his perceived silence.
But on 3 January 2014, Dr Manmohan Singh, while addressing his last press conference as Prime Minister, made a remark that came true within his lifetime itself.
While acknowledging the shortcomings of his government and the criticism he faced from the media over the years, Dr Singh said, "I honestly believe history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament."
The UPA, in its final days, was embroiled in a host of corruption allegations, including the 2G scam, Coalgate, and the CWG scam, which had dented the Singh government's image among the public.
"I cannot divulge all the things that take place in the cabinet system of government. I think taking into account the circumstances and the compulsions of a coalition polity, I have done as best as I could do under the circumstances," Dr Singh had said further.
On Thursday, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, who was a party and cabinet colleague of Dr Singh, reiterated his words.
"Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr Manmohan Singh ji," Kharge said.
Many on social media also say that the country owes Dr Singh an apology for the mindless vilification and mockery he had to endure for ten years when he was the Prime Minister.
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