India's 'odd couple' take up reins of power

Aman Singh · #1 (**permalink**) 25-May-2009, 03:53 AM

NEW DELHI (AFP) — When India's enigmatic Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi first nominated the studious Manmohan Singh as premier in 2004, observers had their antennae tuned for signs of the first rift.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-news/25125-indias-odd-couple-take-up-reins.html

But five years on, the elegant Italian-born widow and the 76-year-old turbaned Sikh, dubbed the "odd couple" by India's media, are heading into another term of office after Congress's huge re-election victory.

And they would appear -- outwardly, at least -- to still be on good terms.

After the results rolled in last weekend showing Congress sweeping to its biggest win in 18 years, Gandhi beamed as she ushered the septuagenarian to a podium outside her home and declared he would again be her choice for premier.

There have been whispers of clashes but Gandhi, a fit and attractive 62, has said she and Singh have always worked in harmony.

"I adore the prime minister for the manner in which he handles the government," the widow of former premier Rajiv Gandhi and daughter-in-law of former prime minister Indira Gandhi -- both of whom were assassinated -- said in 2007.

"We work very closely in an atmosphere of frankness," said Gandhi, who arrived in India as a bride in her early 20s and has transformed herself into a sari-clad Indian who speaks Hindi fluently, albeit with an accent.

In 2004, in a blitzkrieg campaign courting India's poor masses, she led the centre-left Congress to a surprise poll triumph after years in the wilderness.

She gave up the chance to be premier, instead nominating the softly spoken Singh, an esteemed economist who has earned the reputation of being the "Mr Clean's Mr Clean" in India's murky politics.

"I must admire her political sagacity," Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee said this week for the way she has managed to silence opposition taunts that she was a power-hungry "foreign doll."

Pundits reckon however Gandhi still calls the shots in the partnership, taking on India's bruising political wheeler-dealing while Singh administers the nation's affairs.

"It's a very convenient division of labour -- he's good on policy and she looks after the politics. They also have a certain innate mutual respect," said columnist Parsa Venkateshwar Rao.

Gandhi's emergence as India's most powerful politician caps a remarkable life story.

Daughter of a middle-class Italian builder, she was thrust into the world of India's political first family after marrying Rajiv Gandhi in 1968, whom she met at a restaurant in England where she was studying English.

Before she came to live with his family, she knew only India had "snakes, elephants and jungles," she recalled once.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25125

Her husband's assassination in 1991 by a Tamil rebel suicide bomber left Congress in limbo and the party turned to his widow to rebuild it. Her makeover from a stiff, shy housewife into a public persona was tough.

"I used to be a very, very private person," said Gandhi, who still almost never gives interviews. "It took a great deal of adjustment... to be in the limelight."

There are cynics who say she opted for Singh because his self-effacing style meant he was unlikely to seize centre-stage from the charismatic Nehru-Gandhi dynasty which has given India three premiers.

She is seen as carefully managing the eventual rise to the premiership of her son Rahul Gandhi, 38, whom she thrust into a central role in the latest campaign.

Rahul "has earned his political legitimacy in this election," said veteran commentator M.J. Akbar. "It is highly likely at some point there may even be a transition in government with Singh making way for Rahul."

Many in Congress cannot conceive of a future without a Gandhi in charge, but Sonia has insisted Rahul must prove himself if he wants to become premier.

"If you have a family whose earlier generations have been in politics it gives you a head start," she said.

"But India is a democracy. You may have an advantage at the beginning but you have to work hard to prove yourself," she added knowingly.

Archived_Member5 · #2 (**permalink**) 26-May-2009, 12:23 PM

Is it not heartening to know Manmohan Singh Ji is the respectable and competent face of an otherwise decidedly wicked, ineffectual and evil state of tyranny. WaheGuru’s peace and honour be upon our Sikh elder amidst rather suspect officiates basking in his trusted standing and good sense in these turbulent times of hypocrisy, religious and racial divisions and general upheaval in India. One can almost understand why this Good King is a reluctant one. Sikhs have much to be proud of in this dignitary standing for an empire and body exposed to accusations of former oppression and barbaric attacks upon his homeland and states holiest shrine. An indicative sign of the times, perhaps.The Sikhs have much to be proud of in this gentleman of years, yet humility prohibits egotism and a sense of being denied equality in their own nation deters any laud or favourable sentiment of the denizens of politics and the media, the driving force and will behind the modern state of play, basking in the reflected trustworthiness and glory. Sant Jarnail Singh Bindranwalle would indeed be proud were he alive today...WaheGuru Ji.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25125
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25125

**The blacks have gained the presidency and the much craved for equality and justice, The BNP has placed its Bowles as the driving force behind Gordon Brown, supposedly Italy will be greatly honoured for having its daughter preside over the Indian secularised minorities. The Vatican must by duly and rightly so proud. The path to power of trinity of feminists is now near complete.**

dalsingh · #3 (**permalink**) 26-May-2009, 21:08 PM

Quote:

**The blacks have gained the presidency and the much craved for equality and justice, The BNP has placed its Bowles as the driving force behind Gordon Brown, supposedly Italy will be greatly honoured for having its daughter preside over the Indian secularised minorities. The Vatican must by duly and rightly so proud. The path to power of trinity of feminists is now near complete.**

Do you mind elaborating on your above statement Jeeti?

Archived_Member5 · #4 (**permalink**) 26-May-2009, 21:34 PM

I think its perfectly self explanatory, what part in particular dont you understand or have failed to grasp. Kindly stop trolling me unless you wish to adress a point in my response or have an alternative view to offer. Thankyou in advance for your compliance. WaheGuru di Kirpa naal - this is my final post.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25125
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25125

My utmost respect and regards to the honourable Prime Minister and former economist ManMohan Singh Ji, my fathers namesake, who was also called Mohan, may he live long, in good health and prosper...JJ.

dalsingh · #5 (**permalink**) 26-May-2009, 23:38 PM

Jeeti, who is this Bowles behind Gordon Brown?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25125

Plus what is this path to power you refer to in your last sentence?

And no Jeeti, your posts are frequently difficult to decipher due to your use of archaic English and cryptic references.

Please enlighten us.

Archived_Member5 · #6 (**permalink**) 28-May-2009, 00:04 AM

Quote:

As Guru Nanak spoke these vermin who plot mans ruin, who connive to weave nets of illusory deception, concocted of falsehood and cunning, they are as the worms boring through the excreted dung of what remains of mankind. Be not judgmental they bleat as sheep when examined closely of their hypocrisy, bigotry and false accusing, whilst they dare to judge the Highest Power with the minds of dead sheep, the brains of unborn beetles, boast of God and his word as nonexistent incomprehensible, beyond the understanding of such lowly beings conferring their own sin diseased mean mindedness upon their own reflections staring back from the abysses where they seek ’’God’’.

‘’Get down from your high horse...’’ seems to my ear the boasting from a demagoguery of tyranny and aggrandized bekaarii’s who actually mean ’we have engineered your destruction, taken away your Lord, shorn your crown, defamed your name, cast you into the farm of the iniquitous and debauched to be as fodder for the beetles of the demon king as he torments you into destruction, we have excluded you from the Sangat, attempted ardently to cast you into ignominy whilst setting each adulteress, wicked and your enemies high above you, we have eroded your faith, diminished your sanity yet you remains as pinnacle of wisdom and sense, we have engineered your oppression, contrived each onslaught against you, without such, saathi or sahara your life is but a wretched existence of suffering, struggle and an agonised mind. The demons openly boast of their witchery and devil worship whilst you suffer for their arrogant sinning, each ally you sought was poisoned against you, we have placed every obstacle to impede your escape from our clutches whilst we feed upon your power and have gained great wealth and laud. The religious who once honoured you, now attend at a distance as witnessers to your ruin, all others benefit and profit from your erstwhile labours and toil, you tire yet there is none to take up your shackle, you bleed yet find no-one to bind your wounds, you weep as they laugh at the injustice they have meted to you, no friend has availed you, your wisdom grants you not the victory that is yours, the demons win, in their high seats of power, lower than any bestial peasantry, they cackle with devilry as you crave death and are denied it, and yet you stand upright in your honour, upstanding in your righteousness, your dignity intact, your faith as indestructible as it was and is and will be eternally.
Source:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=411 (Caste, Race, Ethnicity and Sikhism)
Source:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=411 (Caste, Race, Ethnicity and Sikhism)

What are ‘’high horses’’ Dal Ji ? Unbeknown to you. your mouth speaks the words of the wicked, sinful oppressors with power, devilry and laud. Yet you know it not, and I am bound to forgive you. I talk often of the Matrix film, yet have not to date watched it. White blacks fighting Love, Man waging war with Satan, God possessed by a devious harlot, I watched excerpts and found them a reflection of the battling and inner turmoil, emotional conflict that I endure. I cannot lower myself from my high horse, and would die than bow to any false powers masquerading as power seeking further my ‘’lowering’’, I would rather die.

Seek not the cause for your ruin amongst the Sikhs or the sanctum of religion, but in the annals of politics, the corridors of monarchy, the chattels of the media. That is where lies mans, Saints and Gods ruination. But you would not dare. These times when irreligiousity becomes the norm whilst ordinates democratically elected are well protected not only by libel laws but treason and insurrection, whilst blasphemy laws disbanded to abet and aid them further. Look towards the evil crow of Windsor, previously a safari park, now a den of the vilest human vermin imaginable. That is where festers England’s ruin, not from the heavens of from those blamed.

Compelled to respond, I will now exist this gathering of the good and wise if only for their protection. Bhul Chuk Maaf.This is undeniably an angry outburst and rant. Please pray I fully am able to remove my presence from these online forums. I feel my work is done, and my end nigh, I could not bear Sikhs or Punjab carrying any blame for the sins of other beliefs, maybe you need to be cast adrift, aside, away from your own people to better appreciate their worth and goodness, much appreciated.

Last Post.