Manohar Rao Reflects on the Key Achievements of Manmohan Singh During His Brother's Tenure as PM Rao (IANS Interview)

New Delhi, Dec 28 (NationPress) P.V. Manohar Rao, the younger sibling of the late former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, on Saturday praised ex-PM Manmohan Singh, stating that he collaborated effectively with his brother, marking a time when Dr. Singh achieved his greatest milestones.

In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Manohar Rao honored Dr. Manmohan Singh and discussed how both his brother and Dr. Singh maintained loyalty to the Gandhi family while adopting differing methods to uphold their own principles.

Previously, Manohar Rao criticized the Congress for not awarding PM Rao, the first non-Gandhi Prime Minister, the Bharat Ratna, asserting that the recognition given earlier this year should have been granted two decades ago.

Here is the complete interview:

IANS: How do you assess the accomplishments of PM Manmohan Singh compared to his time as Finance Minister in Narasimha Rao's administration?

Manohar Rao: Dr. Manmohan Singh's notable accomplishments occurred during his partnership with PM Rao. He realized nearly double the success compared to his time as PM alone. In my view, what Dr. Singh achieved during PM Rao’s administration overshadows his entire decade-long tenure in the PMO.

IANS: How would you characterize the relationship between the two?

Manohar Rao: PM Rao and Dr. Singh worked in harmony as guru–shishya, propelling India to remarkable financial heights. The blueprint they devised for growth and reform continues to steer current governments at both the Centre and state levels. The groundwork of modern India laid by PM Rao and Dr. Manmohan Singh remains influential today.

IANS: Do you believe PM Rao and PM Manmohan Singh received adequate recognition from the Gandhi family?

Manohar Rao: PM Rao and PM Manmohan Singh never opposed or acted against the Gandhi family while steadfastly adhering to their principles. PM Rao had different principles than PM Manmohan, who chose to adhere closely to the directives of the Gandhi family.

IANS: Do you think Congress accorded Dr. Manmohan Singh the respect he warranted?

Manohar Rao: Dr. Manmohan Singh adhered to the Congress and Gandhi family’s directives throughout his life, which is why he will receive the acknowledgment he deserves.

IANS: Was Dr. Manmohan Singh permitted to operate independently as PM?

Manohar Rao: Dr. Singh lacked the autonomy to operate freely during his premiership. If he had been granted more freedom, he could have excelled and achieved double what he accomplished while working alongside PM Rao. The Gandhi family constrained his independence, which explains the absence of significant achievements during his decade as PM.

IANS: What has your relationship with Dr. Manmohan Singh been like?

Manohar Rao: I would meet Dr. Manmohan Singh whenever he visited my brother PM Rao. I held him in high regard as he was a few years my senior. He even honored my invitation to attend a seminar on spiritual values I organized in 2007 in memory of my late brother. He spoke highly of PM Rao at the event, referring to him as his guru.