2G spectrum scam and Supreme Court batter PM Manmohan Singh’s image

From May 2004 till last week, for the nearly 78 months that he has served as prime minister, no one has ever accused Dr Manmohan Singh of being personally corrupt. In fact, his clean image was the surprise weapon in the 2009 elections that helped the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) combat the anti-incumbency disadvantage and return to power.

But ever since a Supreme Court bench questioned his office’s delay in responding to Janata Party president Subramaniam Swamy’s request to sanction the prosecution of former telecommunications minister Andimuthi Raja, the good doctor’s image has taken a beating.

If Singh had a free hand, he would have eased Raja out of the telecom ministry long ago. But the compulsions of a coalition government tied his hands. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, with 18 members in the Lok Sabha, is an important ally in the UPA coalition, and gives the UPA its majority. Thus, only persuasion could be adopted to get Raja out.

In dealing with corruption, the Congress has gone by public perception rather than judicial conviction, and which it highlights while comparing itself to the principal opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“We have asked [Maharashtra chief minister] Ashok Chavan and [Congress parliamentary party secretary] Suresh Kalmadi and now A Raja to resign although nothing has been proved against them in any court of law. No one from the BJP has ever resigned be it Tehelka or the petrol pump scam during its [earlier] rule or now with scams in Karnataka,” pointed out Kapil Sibal, the new telecom minister.

Nevertheless, for the opposition, these are heady days. Having tasted success, opposition members are insisting on a joint parliamentary commission (JPC) to probe the spectrum scam and refusing to let parliament function. The paralysis proves that the Congress tactic of asking Chavan and Kalmadi to quit their respective offices before parliament began has backfired badly.

In fact, a reason the Congress is resisting the demand for a JPC is the fear that agreeing might only whet the opposition’s appetite to make yet another demand.

With Rahul Gandhi waiting in the wings to take over as prime minister, there is always a question mark over Singh’s tenure.

What, however, is certain is that Singh will be loath to leave under a cloud of suspicion nor will the party seek mid-term elections.

The long-term political consequences of such a move would be disastrous for the Congress party that even after two decades remains unable to shake off the ghost of the Bofors scandal.