There is peculiar similarity between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and late US President Richard Nixon. During his second term as President of United States, Richard Nixon tried every trick in the book to cover up his connection with the Watergate episode. This included major public relations exercise. Before he could make people believe in his no-connection-with- Watergate theory, he had a tough task of making republicans believe in it. At the end, neither Republicans were convinced of his theory nor the people of United States.
Manmohan Singh is the only one who can answer questions related to the corrupt individuals in his cabinet. No less than Prime Minister himself can convince people that all wrongdoing is limited to certain individuals. Not the entire cabinet can be blamed for it. Richard Nixon had people believe that he was not aware of the conduct of his associates. He had to tell people that Watergate was job of certain rogues in his cabinet and not the entire presidency can be blamed for it.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, surrounded with number of scams, seems to be going in the same direction as Richard Nixon. The only difference, between these two leaders, is that the clean image tag on Manmohan Singh is still intact without challenge from any quarter.
An effort of rebuilding his public relations, through an interaction with television editors, was seen recently. It was, indeed, a public relation exercise as no other reason can be given for a sudden willingness of an interaction with editors when files on his table are piling up. He had the same interaction with journalists in May 2010 which failed to yield any results. It may be well intended, but Press meet alone cannot rebuild the image.
An effort of rebuilding his public relations, through an interaction with television editors, was seen recently. It was, indeed, a public relation exercise as no other reason can be given for a sudden willingness of an interaction with editors when files on his table are piling up. He had the same interaction with journalists in May 2010 which failed to yield any results. It may be well intended, but Press meet alone cannot rebuild the image.
Manmohan Singh managed to retain his position with an impressive electoral performance. No political editor or expert could gauge the wind in his governments favour. Richard Nixon retained his position with an impressive performance in United States’ electoral history. No political editor or expert could gauge that too.
Manmohan Singh is the only one who can answer questions related to the corrupt individuals in his cabinet. No less than Prime Minister himself can convince people that all wrongdoing is limited to certain individuals. Not the entire cabinet can be blamed for it. Richard Nixon had people believe that he was not aware of the conduct of his associates. He had to tell people that Watergate was job of certain rogues in his cabinet and not the entire presidency can be blamed for it.
Congress, the largest party in the government, has already distanced itself from government on number of issues such as price rise, 2G, CWG etc. We see Congress spokespersons unwilling to talk about anything which looks troublesome. That essentially leaves Prime Minister alone to answer opposition’s charges. Republican minority leader, after reading Watergate related transcripts, decided not to defend Nixon anymore. Republicans started avoiding commenting on everyday developments. He was left on his own to talk on contentious issues.
Prime Minister wrote to A Raja asking him to follow auction process. Raja did not budge. Manmohan Singh could have asked A Raja to strictly follow his suggestion, but he only wrote one letter. That was the right time to act. Manmohan Singh chose not to. Richard Nixon was not involved in the entire gamut known as Watergate. He was not even aware of the purpose of Watergate burglary. He had those crucial moments when he could have asked his aides not to breach the boundary. Nixon chose not to.
Manmohan Singh, at the end of press meet, did say that he is not as guilty as made out to be. The message was clear to understand that there exists guilt. Richard Nixon addressed the nation three times after Watergate expose. His only argument was the same- I am not as guilty as made out be. The message was clear- there exists guilt.
Richard Nixon, while addressing questions from media on possible resignation, said several times that he has been given responsibility by people to govern. Manmohan Singh said the same thing in as many words.
That leaves only one similarity, to be matched, between Richard Nixon and Manmohan Singh. Richard Nixon had to resign after an impressive tally in his last election. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Time will fill that blank.
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