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Manmohan signals to step down

1 July 2011 05:02 am - 22     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Manmohan Singh, the Indian prime minister, has signalled his willingness to step aside in favour of Rahul Gandhi, signalling the return of dynastic rule to the world's largest democracy.

"Whenever the (Congress) Party makes up its mind I will be very happy to step down, but so long as I am here I have a job to do" the 78-year old Oxbridge- educated economist said in response to questions on 41-year old Rahul replacing him posed by a group of newspaper editors in New Delhi on Tuesday.

"The general proposition that younger people should take over is the right sentiment" said Dr Singh, whose federal Congress Party-led coalition is besieged by corruption scandals, charges of non-governance and poor performance.

This acknowledgement follows renewed calls by senior Congress Party leaders for Rahul Gandhi -himself an MP – to succeed Dr Singh, who has been labelled a "lame duck" prime minister for his remaining three-year term.

Congress Party circles believe the premiership was Rahul Gandhi's 'birthright' as he is the son of Congress party head Sonia Gandhi and heir to the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has ruled India for almost four decades since independence 64 years ago.

After re-election in 2009, Dr Singh's administration has been rocked by financial scandals associated with last years Commonwealth Games, the questionable auctioning of telecommunication and oil and gas exploration licenses to private concessionaires.

(The telegraph)


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  Comments - 22

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  • Lanke Banda Friday, 01 July 2011 02:21 PM

    Who Cares ?

    rathike Saturday, 02 July 2011 05:35 AM

    Sing get lost fast, you are a Doll PM do you do any thing as PM on your own, no so what is the point of being a PM.

    Priyanka Saturday, 02 July 2011 05:06 AM

    he is a well educated and he knew what was going on that includes corruptions of his cabinet members, but he choose to be quiet to be in the position. He may not involve in corruption. it does not mean he did not have knowledge of corruption.

    By Gad Saturday, 02 July 2011 03:57 AM

    Very gracious if asked to do so. If this happens, our Sri Lankan royal family will start to see stars in front of their eyes.

    pissu balla Saturday, 02 July 2011 02:58 AM

    what about kings and queens of so called western democracies?

    gota Friday, 01 July 2011 10:55 PM

    expect same change in our pardise

    dayasoma Friday, 01 July 2011 05:46 PM

    Deemoo get ready !

    freehit Friday, 01 July 2011 05:32 PM

    Another puppet to dance to the Tamilnadu tune.

    freehit Friday, 01 July 2011 05:31 PM

    Rahul is heir to the throne, and Singh is being thrown to the air.

    Thomas Friday, 01 July 2011 03:15 PM

    GIVE WAY FOR YOUNG BLOOD

    citizen1 Friday, 01 July 2011 02:49 PM

    More like the 'family'

    Ajeez Mohammed Friday, 01 July 2011 05:17 AM

    Great Leaders, always set examples.

    Smart Alec Friday, 01 July 2011 08:42 AM

    A forgone conclusion, If its not today ,it will be tomorrow.

    Samba Friday, 01 July 2011 06:40 AM

    All Indians will remember this great leader for ever.

    Konde Bendapuchhena Friday, 01 July 2011 06:13 AM

    During tenure of Manmohan Singh Sonia was the one who were in control

    Manujer Friday, 01 July 2011 06:10 AM

    Setting an example to Ranil ?

    simple mind Friday, 01 July 2011 06:09 AM

    I think this mainly applies to Asian democra - ZYs and not western democrcies

    Concerned Friday, 01 July 2011 05:48 AM

    Just like the grand ma and then the father......

    ranfer Friday, 01 July 2011 05:50 AM

    India is too big and too complicated to make a impact by change in leadership. Who ever the leader India will be India.

    Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 01 July 2011 05:44 AM

    It is really incomprehensible how large democracies cow down to family dynasty in succession as if leadership of a free country is their birth-right. That only shows a great fault in a democratic system where the people who vote and who are known as the supreme authority can easily be swayed by family power.

    Kivulegedara Friday, 01 July 2011 05:39 AM

    Very generous.... Like our Leaders... Isn't it?

    Niv Friday, 01 July 2011 05:21 AM

    Good move than say 'YES' to everything for party leader . People expected you as such a educated professional. But you couldn't independently work.. this is a good example how a respected educated fellow can be mistreated and mislead by uneducated fellows and so called politician its just because of they are leaders of party.


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