Dr Singh, MP, Lok Sabha

Thase columns had observed yesterday Natwar Singh8217;s fulminations against the prime minister could help the Congress rediscover the virtues of party-government solidarity. There8217;s some more unwitting assistance on offer from the former foreign minister, which shouldn8217;t be overlooked simply because he now seems ready to act contrite. Natwar Singh8217;s observation that a proper election victory doesn8217;t figure in the PM8217;s CV has a validity that survives the showcaused Congressman8217;s bile. Manmohan Singh will lose nothing and gain two very important attributes if he fights and wins a Lok Sabha seat. First, he will confirm to a tradition sanctified by the democratic spirit 8212; the leader of the government in a democracy must be elected in the proper sense of the term.

Dr Singh and his advisors should note that even I.K. Gujral 8211; an accidental prime minister if ever there was one 8211; was anxious to get the imprimatur of Lok Sabha membership. That Gujral became a lower house MP in an election caused by the fall of his government is thanks to political events over which he had no control. Dr Singh has both far more assurance in terms of his government8217;s medium term longevity as well as many more options about choosing a safe seat; Gujral had to accept an Akali gift. So even in terms of pure politics there8217;s no reason for the PM not to contest.

Politics also provides the second advantage for 8216;Manmohan Singh, MP, Lok Sabha8217;. Most of his big detractors in the party and government and some of the most prominent performance-challenged members in the Cabinet are Rajya Sabha members. So is Natwar Singh, by the way. We carry a list of Rajya Sabha members in the Manmohan Singh Cabinet on the op-ed page and anyone who8217;s been following news should have no difficulty identifying those for whom a Manmohan Singh election victory will not bring tidings of joy. Realpolitik is brutally logical. A proper election win will give Dr Singh more political ammunition against critics whose chances of participating in a successful Lok Sabha contest is about the same as those of Natwar Singh being re-appointed as foreign minister. All prime ministers need to be ruthless some time. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had this quality in abundance.

Dr Singh must start acquiring it.