Maharashtra Leaders Pay Tribute to Dr. Manmohan Singh's Remarkable Legacy
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Mumbai, Dec 27 (NationPress) Leading opposition figures from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and various other parties in Maharashtra expressed their heartfelt condolences for the late former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who sadly passed away on Thursday night.
The State Congress President Nana F. Patole, CWC Member Vijay Balasaheb Thorat, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar, Working President Supriya Sule, General Secretary Dr. Jitendra Awhad, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Priyanka Chaturvedi, and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar were among those who mourned the loss of Dr. Singh.
Patole praised him as an extraordinary economist and a brilliant scholar who “laid the groundwork for India’s robust economy” throughout his extensive political and administrative career.
Expressing profound sorrow over Dr. Singh’s demise, Pawar remarked that the nation has lost “one of its most eminent economists, a visionary reformer, and a global statesman, whose loss is profoundly felt.”
Thackeray Jr reflected on Dr. Singh’s personal and political milestones, noting “how prime ministers can embody humility, grace, and dignity despite their extensive achievements,” and emphasized how the youth of the 1990s experienced a transformative era as India opened up to the global stage.
Prakash Ambedkar commended Singh for his intellectual prowess, recalling how he actively listened and considered the perspectives of his peers. “When we raised concerns about liberalization and its potential impact on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), he swiftly adapted his policies to support and protect them,” Ambedkar reminisced.
Thorat stated that India has lost a world-class economist who was instrumental in positioning India as a competitive force globally, initiating significant financial reforms starting in 1991 as Finance Minister. “As Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, he championed social and economic reforms, advocated for the rights of the marginalized, implemented a nationwide farm loan waiver in 2008, and launched initiatives such as the National Employment Guarantee Scheme, Right to Information, Aadhaar for direct benefit transfers, the Food Security Act, and the Right to Education,” Thorat elaborated.
Dr. Awhad recalled a time when the world overlooked India, yet Dr. Singh transformed economic challenges into opportunities for progress, stating, “In his passing, not only India but the entire globe has lost a distinguished economist and scholar.”
“With his vast experience as a top bureaucrat, Finance Minister, and then Prime Minister, Dr. Singh significantly influenced the Indian economy with his bold decisions and innovative ideas, propelling it to become the world's second-fastest-growing major economy in 2007 with a remarkable 9 percent growth,” Dr. Awhad noted.
Raut mentioned that the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi is benefiting from the foundational work and dedication laid by ex-PM Dr. Singh, “a respected economist and a devoted leader whose contributions to nation-building will always be honored.”
Chaturvedi expressed her sorrow upon hearing of Dr. Singh’s passing, highlighting his belief in the potential of youth in politics and how his encouragement made her political journey fulfilling.
Pawar remarked that Dr. Singh was “a divine figure who embodied humility, patience, tolerance, and compassion, and as the architect of modern India’s economic reforms, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.”
Dr. Awhad noted, “During his tenure, the opposition criticized him for being a ‘silent PM,’ but he remained committed to integrity for the nation’s sake, successfully negotiating pivotal agreements like the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement in 2005, showcasing India’s strength on the global stage.”
Other leaders, including M. Arif Naseem Khan, Atul Londhe, Kishore Tiwari, Sushma Andhare, and Clyde Crasto, also praised Dr. Singh for his exemplary contributions to the country over more than six decades in various roles, including his service as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
