The word ‘Suicide’ from former PM Manmohan Singh’s mouth…

Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi has chronicled an emotional incident involving former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in his new book. Quraishi shared these interesting details in his recently written book titled ‘India and I: A Hundred Memories, Not a Memoir’. This book is set to hit the market on July 16.

According to the book, the UP Assembly elections were underway in January 2012. During the campaign, the then Union Minister Salman Khurshid spoke at a rally and promised that if they came to power, they would increase the quota for Muslims in jobs from 4.5 percent to 9 percent. The BJP complained to the EC (Election Commission) that this declaration violated the Model Code of Conduct. Following this, the EC conducted an inquiry for four days.

Quraishi mentioned that Singhvi argued on behalf of the Congress, while Arun Jaitley argued for the BJP. He wrote that the EC ultimately found fault with Khurshid, which was the strongest action they could take according to the code. However, some in the Congress faulted the EC’s decision over this. They fumed that the EC was being arrogant and unilateral.

“The very next day, the PMO’s emergency phone (RAX) rang. I was told that the Prime Minister wanted to speak with me urgently. Manmohan Singh came on the line and asked with great anxiety, ‘Quraishi ji, can I meet you urgently?’ Since he spoke about coming to me by putting aside protocol, I said, ‘Sir, you are the Prime Minister. I will come whenever you ask me to,’ and a meeting was fixed for 7 PM that evening at the PM’s residence,” former CEC S.Y. Quraishi stated in his book.

Quraishi recalled that as soon as the meeting began, Manmohan Singh’s voice trembled with deep anguish. Quraishi was left speechless when Manmohan said, “Harish told me everything you said. If you also feel the same way about me, I will commit suicide.”

It took a few minutes to calm him down by explaining that he had only spoken about the behavior of some ministers and had never doubted the Prime Minister’s stance. Manmohan Singh then responded, saying, “I was not even aware of this matter. If I had known, I would have severely reprimanded them. From now on, if you face any problem, call me directly,” Quraishi wrote in his book.