November 28, 2006 is the most shameful day for the Indian Parliamentary history - Cabinet Minister Shibu Soren was convicted for murdering Shashinath Jha, his private secretary. It may be recalled that PV Narasimha Rao's minority Government was dangerously placed to losing the seat of power in the impending head-count on the no-confidence motion.

Congress regime was hellbent to save the Government by hook or by crock. Four Jharkhand MPs, including Shibu Soren, were easy prey. Local Congress leader Gyan Ranjan had been managing Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leaders. Election after election in Jharkhand area, he corrupted Jharkhand leaders, including Shibu Soren, who himself was not corrupt. Yet other Jharkhand leader, Suraj Mandal, gradually emerged as mafia don.

Up to the 1970s, Shibu Soren was known as a saintly person. People worshiped him because he fought injustice valiantly. Till the 1980s, he was not a fallen man but his many colleagues were trading with the Congress on his credibility. During Lok Sahba, Rajya Sabha and Assembly elections, the soft prey in the Jharkhand areas were JMM MLAs, thanks to Gyan Ranjan's maneuvering. He was a valuable asset for the Congress.

He was the voice in Jharkhand politics. Congress Prime Ministers listened to him. When the crises came during Rao's period, it was Gyan Ranjan, who managed all the Jharkhand MPs. He brought them to Delhi. Crores of rupees exchanged hands.

Here a new sub-story started. Shashinath Jha, the personal secretary, was the only man who knew the entire story, including the money part of it, demanded his share which was met partially. When he demanded more, he was done away with. The CBI ultimately discovered the truth through scientific tests.

Sessions judge Delhi sent Shibu Soren to Tihar Jail. It was a case of a saintly person falling into the Congress trap. Similar is the story of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He was a powerful Cabinet Minister in the Rao Cabinet when Soren's downfall started. He kept his honesty and integrity intact though he was in full knowledge of Congress leaders trading with JMM MPs. He can't say that he did not know the events of those days. Dr Singh's fall started when he accepted the Prime Ministership.

In this arithmetic of 14th Lok Sabha, at least six ministers with criminal records were sworn in. There was huge protest from the opposition against inclusion. If speedy trials take place all the tainted Ministers will land in Tihar Jail.

A memorandum containing cases pending against these criminal politicians in the courts, was submitted to the President by NDA leaders. But what could the President do? He has to administer the oath to the listed Ministers, a prerogative of the PM. Given the freedom probably Singh might not have included the tainted Ministers. But what can he do? His status is that of a titular head, who has to obey 10, Janpath's dictates. When NDA appointed Governors were removed or when patently political and subservient Governors of Bihar, Jharkhand and Goa, were appointed Singh had no option but to obey the master.

Think of a PM who rang up Lalu on day one of Lok Sabha's session to manage the Opposition's protest on the issue of tainted Ministers. Lalu handled it in pure Bihar style. It was a pathetic beginning for Manmohan Singh. As far as Soren's case is concerned, though known for his criminal activities, he was twice sworn in Cabinet Minister and once as CM of Jharkhand.

The compromises made by Singh as PM have no parallel in India's democratic history. The important policy announcements, like recent reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel, are not made by him. These are announced through statements from Sonia Gandhi. Nothing good could be expected from a Council of Ministers where many of them are known criminals and corruption ridden. Often his declarations and decision do not match. He talked of zero tolerance towards terrorism and showed infinite tolerance towards the terrorists. Look at the Afzal's case.

Today, the UPA Government has turned out to be the most unpopular Government. Even Chandra Shekhar as Prime Minister with meagre support, ruled the country with full authority. Deve Gowda, a political lightweight, too, immediately dropped Taslimuddin from the Council of Ministers when Arun Shourie published his historysheet in a newspaper. One can't say that VP Singh was a lame-duck PM. But there is some similarity between the two Singhs. Both were considered honest and men of integrity. Both have been proven as politically dishonest PMs. If a political charge sheet can be filed, Manmohan Singh's case may be the worst.

Courtesy: www.dailypioneer.com, December 03, 2006