NAME: Manmohan Singh

AGE: 72

NATIONALITY: Indian

CLAIM TO FAME: India’s new Prime Minister

IT has indeed been a week of suspense and thrill in the world of Indian politics.

First came the shock results and with it the shocking prospect of India cradling its first Roman Catholic Prime Minister. Stock markets tumbled and the business community shuddered over the thought of a Communist supported Congress government. But now that Manmohan Singh has been named as the Prime Minister-to-be, that too after another shocker from Sonia Gandhi; many hope that the uncertainty of the past two weeks will come to rest.

If all goes according to plans, former Finance Minister Dr Singh will become the first Sikh Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world. Largely held responsible for economic reforms that regenerated the Indian economy in the early 1990s, Dr Singh is more famous for his professionalism than for his politics. He is widely respected in all circles and is very good in what he does: plan.

He has taught economics in universities in India and abroad, including the prestigious Delhi School of Economics and Oxford University. Dr Singh has also headed India’s central bank, advised the government on managing the economy and has been a governor with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Manmohan Singh’s philosophy of economic reforms has been dictated by a belief that instead of selling-off profit-making government-owned enterprises, state-run companies should be modernized. He is a believer in globalization with a ‘human face’ and his vision of the road to prosperity for India lies in restructuring the role of the government. No wonder he is regarded as the cleanest politician in India.

Though Sonia Gandhi’s nomination had been seen as somewhat controversial, Dr Singh’s has already proved to be a magnet for more support for the Congress-led parliamentary coalition. DMK of Tamil Nadu, that had earlier voiced support only from the outside, has now thrown its full parliamentary support to Manmohan Singh. Even the stock markets, that suffered their worst one-day losses ever, have steadied since.

But as Prime Minister Dr. Singh has a tall-order to scale. Not only has he to keep the promises to the business community, that the current economic reforms will continue, he also has to appease the vast majority of the Indian populace who have yet to enjoy India’s economic benefits. For it was their anger at the former BJP government’s ignorance for their needs, that brought Congress back to power.

Few doubt his ability as an economist. But what about his ability as a political strategist, one who can lead a coalition government? And then there’s dealing with his neighbours, particularly Pakistan. In this uncertain world, it’s not going to be easy for Dr Manmohan Singh.