When Manmohan quietly heard criticism of his govt, recalls friend

“I will not respond to what is said, I will just listen” said former PM Manmohan Singh when late Isher Judge Ahluwalia told him that there would be criticism of UPA-2 at a book release event, to which he had been invited.

The release in 2012 involved a reissued Oxford publication on India’s economic reforms, led by Singh in 1991, and saw Raghuram Rajan, then professor in the Chicago School of Business, delivering a scathing critique of the Singh’s government. To the late PM’s credit, he not only heard the entire criticism with no sense of irritation, but also appointed Rajan chief economic adviser in the Finance Ministry.

This heart-warming anecdote forms part of the foreword that Singh’s long-time friend Montek Singh Ahluwalia has written for a new compilation of articles on the late PM, his journey and achievements.

The compilation – featuring tributes to Manmohan Singh by luminaries like Padma Bhushan SS Johl and former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi — will be released here at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan on Friday.

It has been edited by Gurmit Singh, one of the founders of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle and will be released in the presence of Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur and Ahluwalia.

The book has two forewords — one by Ahluwalia and the other by leading agricultural economist, Johl. In his article, Johl recalls how he had cautioned Singh against contesting the 1999 elections from South Delhi. He said, “Dr Singh was excellent in classroom and Parliament, but was mild as a public speaker and a politician. Besides, South Delhi was a shanties-dominated area and Singh had neither worked nor was seen there. It was suspected some of his own party members may not support him. On the contrary, the BJP had a strong contender.”

Johl recalls Dr Singh saying that he knew about it, but the party wanted him to contest.

Retired banker Gurmit Singh, editor of the book ‘Remembering the Great Indian Economist Dr Manmohan Singh’said, “Dr Singh was not a politician is the biggest myth. No one can survive the complex maze of Indian politics and go on from a lateral entrant to the PM’s post without political skills.”