Quotes from Baru’s book: RSS mouthpiece sees need for restoring PMO dignity

NEW DELHI: Emphasising that the Prime Minister’s Office under the present UPA dispensation had lost its prestige and significance, RSS mouthpiece Organiser has said that next government should restore the dignity and sanctity of the PMO by upholding the principles of accountability and collective responsibility.

Interestingly, the remarks made in the latest issue of Organiser have come at a time when opinion polls have widely predicted that an NDA government with Narendra Modi as Prime Minister will take charge after the Lok Sabha elections.

Organiser has strongly criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue and alleged that he allowed UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to exercise control over the PMO.

The mouthpiece has extensively quoted Singh’s former media advisor Sanjay Baru’s book- The Accidental Prime Minister”- and former Coal Secretary PC Parakh’s book to drive home its point.

“With the PM (Singh) declaring his retirement, more accountable and decisive government is expected after the culmination of elections for the 16th Lok Sabha.

The PM, who will head the PMO and establish synchronised relationship with the Cabinet Secretariat to uphold the principles of accountability and collective responsibility enshrined in the Constitution, is the minimum expectation,” the cover story of Organiser stated.

The RSS mouthpiece underlined that making the PMO strong does not just concern the incumbent but is also about the dignity of the high office.

“This is not a question of image of one individual but restoring the sanctity and dignity of the Prime Minister’s post. This will be the key mission for the next government.

Then only the PM will be regarded as the captain of a team, with the ‘first among equal’ status,” the cover story said.