Kochi: Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan has paid a touching tribute to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, remembering how the academic-turned-politician inspired him with his unfailing commitment to the nation and the people. In a note posted on social media on Friday, a day after Singh passed away, Kuzhalnadan recollected an episode from the Congress’ Jaipur chinthan shivir (brainstorming session) where he chose to defend the then prime minister amid a slew of criticism by senior leaders.

Kuzhalnadan, the first-time MLA from Muvattupuzha constituency, was a national secretary of the Youth Congress when the Jaipur meet took place in 2013. At the meet, just a year ahead of the 2014 general elections, several senior leaders had chosen to slam Singh’s economic policies and wanted a course correction. Kuzhalnadan, who was already an admirer of Singh’s economic policies, said he felt an urge to speak for the prime minister during a session on the economy. Kuzhalnadan was invited to the chinthan shivir as one of the 60 young delegates.

Three discussions were held simultaneously and the delegates had the freedom to choose the topic of their interest. Kuzhalnadan chose to attend the one on the economy. “There were three vacant chairs. At first, I could not understand who they were meant for. Later, I realised that the chairs were for three senior leaders - Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi - who would attend each of the sessions for 30 minutes. 

“There was an impressive lineup of speakers, including P Chidambaram, Manishankar Aiyar and chief ministers. As the discussions progressed, all of the speakers started criticising Singh’s policies. I did not feel anything special listening to them. However, Sonia Gandhi, Dr Singh and Rahul Gandhi came in when Aiyar spoke. He continued to slam Dr Singh harshly. I felt sad and looked at Dr Singh. He was listening to Aiyar keenly without any change in his face. After Aiyar, it was the turn of Vayalar Ravi, whom I consider my political guru. He also started pointing fingers at Dr Singh. It might have been for my age or lack of maturity, I raised my hand soon after Vayalar Ravi spoke. Then Rahul Gandhi said, ‘let’s listen to a young voice’and gave me the opportunity to speak. Instead of presenting the economic policies I understood, I chose to defend Dr Singh’s policies at my level, adding to them my love, respect, and admiration,” Kuzhalnadan wrote.

He said he argued that the youth would welcome the policies as they were the beneficiaries. “Rahul Gandhi then told Dr Singh, ‘see there is support for you as well’”.

The Congress MLA also remembered a personal chat with Dr Singh, during which he asked the latter how he could remain unperturbed even in the face of undue criticism. “His reply reflected the same idea that the nation has been discussing since hearing the news of his passing. He told me there is no need to worry as long as we are convinced about the right and wrong of what we do. History will place us on the side of truth and virtue,” he said.