Manmohan's my choice for top job, says Sonia

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has put an end to speculation on the leadership issue. In her ���Letter to Congresspersons��� in the latest issue of the party mouthpiece, Congress Sandesh, Ms Gandhi has made it clear that Manmohan Singh is her choice for the top job.

Her letter makes a clear statement concerning Mr Singh���s political future, puts paid to efforts by sections of the alliance to reopen the leadership issue.

���He (Mr Singh) will soon be able to resume his normal duties. He has many more years of service both the our party and to our country. We look forward to his continued leadership and his inspiration to the younger generation particularly,��� Ms Gandhi wrote. In doing so the Congress president has presented Mr Manmohan Singh as the choice for prime minister in the second round.

The letter also answers in an oblique manner the reason why the Congress was reluctant to vest all the responsibilities of the office of the prime minister to senior party leader and the senior Cabinet member Pranab Mukherjee. Clearly, Ms Gandhi wants to convey to her party members that in the current situation sticking with Mr Singh for the top political job in government is the best bet for the party and the alliance. ���He has led the UPA government with great distinction.���

She has also highlighted the reasons why Mr Singh is her choice. ���He has been known for his wisdom and sagacity, for his humility and simplicity, for his quiet but firm resolve and his sobriety and dignity.���

In the midst of an economic downturn replete with jobs cuts and layoffs, the idea of a prime minister who knows the economy and understands its vagaries would be oddly comforting to the electorate. Ms Gandhi is just conveying to her party workers that Manmohan Singh is the best leader to straddle both political and economic fronts.