As the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha election approaches, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, 91, has issued an emotional appeal to voters in Punjab. In a three-page open letter, Singh urged voters to seize this “final chance to ensure our democracy and Constitution are protected from repeated assaults by a despotic regime.”
Dr. Manmohan Singh, a veteran Congress leader and former Finance Minister who liberalised the Indian economy in 1991, highlighted the economic and social challenges faced by the country during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure. He contrasted the socio-political and economic developments of the past decade with the Congress-led UPA government’s two terms.
On GDP Growth
Dr Manmohan Singh criticised the BJP government’s handling of the economy, citing “the demonetisation disaster, a flawed GST, and the painful mismanagement during the COVID pandemic.” He noted that average GDP growth under the BJP has fallen to below six percent, compared to about eight percent during the Congress-UPA tenure. He pointed out that unemployment and inflation have surged, exacerbating inequality to a 100-year high.
World Bank data corroborates Singh’s concerns, showing GDP growth reaching 9.1 percent in 2021 and plummeting to -5.8 percent during the pandemic. Dr Manmohan Singh contrasted this with the UPA period, where GDP growth peaked at 8.5 percent in 2010 despite the global financial crisis.
On Farmers’ Protests
Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the ongoing farmers’ protests, condemning the government’s harsh response and the Prime Minister’s derogatory remarks towards farmers. He criticised Modi’s unfulfilled promise to double farmers’ incomes by 2022 and highlighted the national average monthly income of farmers as a mere Rs 27 per day, with average debt per farmer at Rs 27,000.
Singh recalled the UPA government’s initiatives, including Rs 72,000 crore loan waivers and increased MSP (minimum support price). He emphasised Congress’s commitment to providing a legal guarantee for MSP and a stable import-export policy for agriculture.
On Income Disparity and Youth Employment
Dr. Manmohan Singh raised alarms about the widening income disparity, citing a report by the World Inequality Lab that indicates the richest Indians now hold a larger share of national income than at any time in the past century. He also highlighted Congress’s plans to address youth unemployment, promising to fill 30 lakh government job vacancies and establish fast-track courts for exam paper leak cases.
On the Agnipath Scheme
Dr Manmohan Singh criticised the BJP’s Agnipath military recruitment scheme, labeling it as an “ill-conceived” plan that undervalues patriotism, bravery, and service. He contrasted this with the Congress’s commitment to scrap the scheme if elected.
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s Appeal to Punjab Voters
In his appeal, Singh called on Punjab voters to demonstrate their “indomitable courage and innate belief in the democratic ethos of inclusiveness, harmony, and brotherhood.” He urged them to protect the nation from what he described as a government that has repeatedly targeted Punjab and its people.
On PM Modi
Finally, Dr Manmohan Singh condemned Prime Minister Modi for “lowering the dignity of public discourse” with hateful and coarse language aimed at specific sections of society and the opposition. He referred to a recent controversy over Modi’s remarks in Rajasthan, which led to a notice from the Election Commission.
Dr. Manmohan Singh concluded his letter by warning that the narrative of dehumanization has reached its peak and called on voters to “save our beloved nation from these forces of discord.”
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