The man who created history years back by bringing in the concept of liberalization and privatization is in charge. Is he really in charge? Or will Sonia and Rahul be controlling the game from behind the scene. The previous task for Singh was more academic and he succeeded. This time it is more practical and needs a shrewd political and administrative capability. Even Vajpayee got a C- grade. That may be was because of his age. But India’s current leader will seat in bed of thorns and will manage a menacing mess. Dealing with Bush Administration is by itself a full time job. Pakistan is another story.

Budget deficit and growing consumer borrowing in India are major factors. The agricultural sector looks less promising than before. The defense is also stressed. The military is tired of episodes in Kashmir, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and so on. It will have to be a fine balancing act to keep a zillion power mongers happy who have formed the alliance - United Progressive Front. The members of UPF know very well that their tenures are short lived. They will try to cash in as fast as they can. If Congress wants to survive in India’s political horizon, then, they will try to stop that looting at any cost. So Manmohan’s main function will be to police these “quick rich” factors. At the same time India is faced with problems posed by Kashmir-USA-Pakistan alliance. Manmohan Singh probably is the least happy person in the world today. But Mr. Clean as he is popularly known, may surprise all impressively. He may bring in unprecedented foreign investment through astute articulation and political maneuvers unseen among Indian political leaders. The biggest advantage Mr. Singh will have is the fact that there is a sympathy factor now that Sonia Gandhi did not take the PM position. BJP will be now extra careful in criticizing Congress and UPF gang. 

India’s biggest need today is a leader who is charismatic, shrewd and who can look eye to eye with leaders of USA, Pakistan and China. It is not easy. Vajpayee in the last two years miserably failed in this game. Manmohan Singh may fail also for the same reason. The biggest problem for Congress and for that matter BJP is that common people India do not like oldies. They like young and charismatic characters. That is the reason why the country feels poorly on Sonia’s decision. Sonia backed out because she faced valid legal challenge being a “registered citizen of India” and not a “Citizen of India”. In addition there are issues related to irregularities undertaken by Congress during the election. Manmohan Singh’s government has many diverse components that fought among themselves all their life for ideological reasons. Sonia, Rahul and the left front all have one thinking – oh no! This alliance will fail. Why become a scapegoat for nothing? Next time we will make it big. This is just a transitional time. Lets pass on it.

Manmohan Singh is what India needs today. He is more of an administrator than a politician. In coming days he will prove to be an asset – a son mother India will ever be proud of.