Singh is king and will remain so, says Sonia

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has clarified that prime minister Manmohan Singh remains the party’s choice for the top job.

In her customary letter to Congresspersons in  party mouthpiece Sandesh, Sonia said, “He has led the UPA government with great distinction and has many more years of service both to our party and to our country.”

Though the party is yet to formally declare its prime ministerial candidate, Sonia’s comments are significant. She had indicated as much last August but the timing of the latest comment is significant. It is a clear signal to those who may have nursed ambitions to replace Singh, given his health, that there is no vacancy at the top and Manmohan Singh continues to enjoy her backing.

In the days after Manmohan Singh’s operation, there was speculation on his successor as his ceremonial duties were farmed out to senior colleagues. In choosing to continue with her backing of Singh, Sonia has tried to put at rest speculation both within her party and among her allies.

Several of her allies have been nursing prime ministerial ambitions and have begun positioning themselves. Sonia has made it clear that it’s the Congress that will decide who will lead and as far as the party’s choice goes it continues to be Manmohan Singh.