TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ Dr. Manmohan Singh had long been criticised by many, including current Prime Minister Narendra Damodar das Modi, as a maun or silent prime minister. On Tuesday, December 18, Dr Singh hit back at his critics — including his successor — stating that he was never afraid of talking to the press during his 10-year tenure, and not only met journalists regularly but also addressed on-board press conferences after his return from overseas visits.
The 86-year-old leader made the comment at the launch of a five-volume set titled Changing India, which is the compilation of his work as an economist, in the bureaucracy, and as a politician. Several Congress leaders present interpreted it as a dig at Modi who is yet to address a single press conference in his 54-month tenure.
As Ashoka University Chancellor Rudrangshu Mukherjee — one of the editors of the volumes — said in his introduction, the fifth volume of the set has two parts that are the most voluminous of all. Ironically, these compile Dr Singh’s speeches as prime minister, while “ignorant” critics would chide him for being a silent PM. Later, Dr Singh said, “I think these volumes speak for themselves and I don’t want to boast about achievements as the prime minister, but the events that took place are well described, particularly in the volume that deals with ‘Prime Minister Speaks’.”
