Manmohan Singh said on Thursday that the Prime Minister’s post has exceptional dignity and questioned the conduct of his successor Narendra Modi who keeps blaming previous regimes for the adverse consequences of his decisions.

“My clear belief is that the Prime Minister’s post has exceptional dignity and laying the blame on history doesn’t lessen your own crimes,” Singh said in a video message to voters in Punjab where elections will be held on Sunday.

In one of the most comprehensive yet concise critiques of the Modi government in recent times, the former Prime Minister referred to the economic slide under the current dispensation at the Centre and pointed out that the situation was extremely worrying on foreign relations and social harmony as well.

Singh also made a reference to the “silent” jibe Modi had used against the then Prime Minister in 2012. Singh, acclaimed by world leaders for his economic vision, referred to the description (Modi had called him “Maun-mohan”) at a time the incumbent Prime Minister is keeping silent on many a thorny issue, including China.

“Apart from the severe impact of corona, people are distressed because of short-sighted policies of the central government which caused an economic slide, rising prices and unemployment. On the other hand, our rulers today are trying to blame the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, for the people’s miseries instead of acknowledging their own mistakes in the last seven-and-a-half years and taking corrective steps.”

Narendra Modi campaigning in Punjab. PTI Photo

Singh, who had famously predicted that Modi would be a disaster as Prime Minister, said: “Discharging my responsibilities as Prime Minister for 10 years, I let my work speak instead of speaking out myself. I never divided the country for political gains; never tried to hide the truth and never lowered the dignity of the post. Despite the challenges, I always raised the prestige of India and Indians on the international stage.”

He added: “I feel content that the good work done between 2004 and 2014 is now being fondly remembered and the false allegations levelled by the BJP and its B and C teams of being weak, corrupt and ‘Maun-mohan’ today lie exposed before the nation.”

While the BJP had made several allegations of corruption against the UPA regime, nothing came out of it even after seven years. The biggest “scam” that defamed the UPA regime fell apart in the court of law.

Singh went on to make lethal attacks on the Modi government: “Iss sarkar ki niti aur neeyat dono mein khot hai (Both policies and intent of this government are flawed). Every policy has vested interest; hate and divisiveness drive the intention. People are being divided in the name of caste, religion and region to serve their narrow political interests. People are pitted against each other.”

He declared: “This government’s nationalism is not only hollow; it is dangerous as well. Their nationalism rests on the British divide-and-rule policy. This government doesn’t have faith in the Constitution, which is the basis of our democracy. Democratic institutions are being constantly weakened.”

Pointing out that the problems were not restricted to internal affairs of the country, the former Prime Minister said: “This government has completely failed on the foreign policy front. Chinese forces are occupying our territory for one year. The government is trying to hush up the matter. Our old friends are deserting us; our relations with neighbours are worsening. I hope the rulers must have understood now that relations with foreign countries do not improve by forcefully hugging leaders, making them enjoy swings (“jhoola jhulane”) or going to their countries uninvited for eating biryani.”

Underscoring the futility of deceptive politics, Singh said: “The government should realise changing appearances does not change the character. Truth manifests itself, in one form or the other. It is easy to indulge in lofty talk but difficult to implement them.”

Insisting that only the Congress has the capacity to steer Punjab out of the current crisis, he said: “Some days ago, the BJP tried to malign chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and the people of Punjab in the name of the Prime Minister’s security. This cannot be accepted as a healthy precedent. Even during the farmers’ movement, we saw how Punjab and Punjabiyat were sought to be maligned. What was not said about the people of Punjab, whose patriotism and valour are respected the world over. As a true Punjabi and Indian, I was pained by the chain of events.”

Singh’s name appears in the list of star campaigners for all the election-bound states but he hasn’t gone anywhere because of poor health. The Congress hopes his appeal will make a difference to the people in Punjab where the party is struggling against a resurgent AAP.

The Congress has poured out all its energies in the state in the last leg of campaigning; both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra carried out hectic electioneering throughout Thursday.