In an opinion piece published in The Indian Express, Sonia Gandhi said that the ruling had brought an end to what she described as a prolonged “political witch-hunt” against the veteran economist and statesman. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday called the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the CBI’s clean chit to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in the coal block allocation case a historic moment.
Political Context
Sonia Gandhi also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2017 remark in Parliament against Dr Singh, referring to the “raincoat” comment, describing it as one of the lowest points in parliamentary discourse. In concluding her article, she observed that Manmohan Singh’s “statesmanship, erudition and fundamental decency” are profoundly missed in today’s politics. She added that history will regard him as a “quiet, gentle but most consequential prime minister” whose contributions to India’s economic progress and democratic path will remain lasting.
Targeting the BJP government, Sonia Gandhi accused it of misusing investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for political ends. She alleged that these agencies were deployed to pressure opposition leaders, while corruption charges against those in power were overlooked. She added that political introspection ought to begin with those currently in power. Highlighting Manmohan Singh’s decade as prime minister, Sonia Gandhi credited his government with introducing major economic and social reforms. She noted that the UPA administration achieved robust economic growth, reduced poverty, broadened social welfare programmes, and reinforced India’s democratic institutions. Sonia Gandhi further commended the former prime minister for his role in securing the historic Indo-US civil nuclear agreement, noting that it demonstrated his political courage and strengthened India’s standing on the world stage.
