Former PM Manmohan Singh Accuses PM Modi Of 'Vile, Unparliamentary, Low-Level Language,' Alleges BJP Discriminates

In the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's accusation that former PM Manmohan Singh had stated that Muslims have the first right to wealth, Singh has now responded indirectly through a letter, asserting that he has “never distinguished one community from another.”

In a letter to the nation, Singh criticised Modi, stating: “I have been closely observing the political discourse during this election campaign. Modiji has engaged in divisive hate speeches, diminishing the dignity and seriousness of the Prime Minister’s office."

The letter continued, "No previous Prime Minister has used such vile, unparliamentary, and low-level language to target specific sections or opposition. They have misattributed statements to me. I have never in my life distinguished one community from another. This is a distinct trait of the BJP.”

Last month, while campaigning in Rajasthan, PM Modi alleged that Manmohan Singh’s government had said Muslims have the first right to wealth.

In December 2006, during a National Development Council meeting, Singh emphasised the need for equitable resource allocation: “We need innovative plans to ensure minorities, especially Muslims, share equitably in development. They must have the first claim on resources.”

However, the PMO later clarified that Singh’s “first claim on resources” referred to all priority areas, including SCs, STs, OBCs, women, children, and minorities.

In his letter, Singh criticised the BJP’s economic management as well.

He stated, “In the past decade, the economy has faced significant upheaval. Demonetisation, mismanaged GST, and poor COVID-19 response have created dire conditions. GDP growth has dropped below 6 per cent under the BJP, compared to around 8 per cent during Congress-UPA rule.”

He continued: “Despite challenges, the Congress-UPA increased the purchasing power of our people, while the BJP’s mismanagement has reduced household savings to a historic 47-year low.”