Manmohan Singh was often seen as a quiet and gentle leader, but he surprised everyone in 2008 by fighting hard for the important Indo-US nuclear deal. This deal would allow India to join the global nuclear energy market. Singh faced strong opposition from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), especially their leader, Prakash Karat, who threatened to withdraw their support from Singh’s government.
On August 7, 2007, Singh stood firm and told Karat, “If you want to pull out, go ahead.” When the Left did decide to withdraw, it created a tense situation in politics. Singh’s government faced strong challenges from the BJP and other parties, but he managed to gather enough support to pass the deal.
This moment changed how people viewed Singh. He went from being just a smart economist to a strong political leader who could handle tough situations. His decisive actions helped the Congress party win a big victory in the general elections of 2009.
The Power of Alliances
Behind the scenes, Singh skillfully built alliances. The Samajwadi Party, led by Mulayam Singh Yadav, became very important during this time. After being ignored in earlier governments, Mulayam wanted to support Singh’s government to gain benefits for his party members. High-level meetings helped solidify this crucial alliance, giving Singh the votes he needed to pass the nuclear deal in Parliament.
During this politically charged time, the capital was alive with late-night meetings and negotiations. The opposition, led by the BJP, tried everything to bring down Singh’s government, including scandalous accusations of bribery.
“Singh is King”
Despite all the drama, Singh’s leadership proved successful. By the evening of July 22, 2008, people were saying, “Singh is King.” He showed great determination under pressure, combined with clever political moves, allowing him to succeed in making the nuclear deal happen. This victory not only shaped India’s future with nuclear energy but also transformed Singh’s image into a strong leader willing to risk his political career for India’s growth.
In the years to come, Singh would be remembered as a leader who took bold actions, even when it was risky, to ensure India’s role on the world stage
Leave a Reply