New Delhi: The parliament witnessed a rare bonhomie this morning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising his predecessor Manmohan Singh for being an “inspiration” for lawmakers. Bidding farewell to the retiring members, the Prime Minister recalled when Singh arrived at the Parliament in a wheelchair to cast his vote over a key legislation.
“I remember during the voting in the House, it was known that the treasury bench would win but Dr Manmohan Singh came on his wheelchair and cast his vote. This is an example of a member being alert to his duties. He was an inspirational example,” he said.
The Prime Minister said it wasn’t about who Singh was supporting and that he believed “he was only strengthening this democracy. I pray that he lives long and keeps guiding us,” he added.
In August, Singh had reached the parliament in a wheelchair during a discussion on a key bill that sought to empower the central government to make rules in affairs related to the Delhi government. During the Presidential elections too, he had arrived in a wheelchair to cast his vote.
Manmohan Singh’s contributions as a leader and in the opposition have been immense, the Prime Minister said. “Ideological differences are short-lived, but the way Manmohan Singh has guided this House and the country for such a long period, he will be remembered for his contributions during every discussion on our democracy,” he added.
Manmohan Singh, a six-time MP, has served as the country’s 13th Prime Minister between 2004 and 2014. He was also the Finance Minister in the PV Narasimha Rao government and RBI Governor from 1982-1985.
