Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (91) bid adieu to the Rajya Sabha today, marking the end of his remarkable three-decade-long tenure.
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge paid tribute to Singh’s dedicated service, expressing admiration for his unwavering commitment to the nation. Kharge in a post on X wrote, “As you retire today from the Rajya Sabha after having served for more than three decades, an era comes to an end. Very few people can say they have served our nation with more dedication and more devotion than you. Very few people have accomplished as much as you for the nation and its people.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi some time back had also lauded his role as a member of the upper house and said his contributions would never be forgotten. Modi also said that Singh sometimes came to vote while being on a wheelchair, and that he did to strengthen democracy.Singh, who first entered the Rajya Sabha in 1991, served multiple terms and faced a brief hiatus in 2019 before being re-elected from Rajasthan. He held the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 1998 to 2004.
Manmohan Singh’s journey as a Rajya Sabha member began in 1991 following his tenure as the Finance Minister in the Rao government. He secured re-election in 1995, 2001, 2007, and 2013. Despite an unsuccessful attempt in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections from South Delhi, where he was defeated by BJP’s Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Singh maintained his presence in the Rajya Sabha.
Representing Assam for five consecutive terms from October 1, 1991, to June 14, 2019, Singh later resumed his tenure in the House from Rajasthan. Since August 20, 2019, he has represented Rajasthan, with his current term slated to conclude on April 3, 2024. During his tenure, Singh served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from March 21, 1998, to May 21, 2004. He has often been accused by the BJP for running a government that was marred by corruption. The party had also termed “MaunMohan Singh”, alleging he did not speak out against corrupt leaders in his cabinet. Singh had, however, hoped that “to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the opposition parties in Parliament”.Of late, he has has not been keeping good health and has often been seen attending the Rajya Sabha proceedings, especially during crucial voting, on a wheelchair.