He's been hinting that he had no interest in a third term as Prime Minister, but is there a possibility that Manmohan Singh may give up the Prime Minister's seat for just a few months to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to make him seem worthy as the party's prime ministerial candidate?
Dr.Singh, who has been the Prime Minister for two whole terms, is likely to hold a press conference early in 2014 in which he will declare his intention not to contest the 2014 elections or be the face of the UPA's campaign.
Speculation has been rife over Singh's political future and another report had said that the Prime Minister has already told party president that after the 2014 polls "he would like to take a break, work for the party and provide help and guidance to Rahul Gandhi".
However, the Telegraph report also presents the rather startling possibility that Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi could step into his shoes just for a few months prior to the polls in order to prove that he is capable and willing to handle the responsibility of governance.
Singh will stay on as mentor, to avoid the impression that Congress was dumping him or didn't consider his achievements as Prime Minister good enough. “The main reason is that the demoralised party will get a fresh lease of life, workers all over the country will get rejuvenated. They will be ready for a fight to make Rahul the Prime Minister again, not for anybody else, including Singh.
The other gain is that the leadership issue will be settled forever,” an unnamed Congress leader was quoted as saying in the Telegraph report. However, the report also quoted sceptics who point to the fact that if Rahul were to take the reins this late he would only be hitching his star to the UPA-II, whose reputation may drag down any goodwill that he may enjoy.
The AICC meeting on 17 January is widely expected to announce the party's prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 polls, and many inside the party believe that its time that the party projected its face for the polls to counter the BJP's push for Narendra Modi. "...in my view, the party (Congress) should project a person as the leader of the party who will become prime minister if the party forms the government. That is my view, but it is for the party to decide," Finance Minister P Chidambaram in an exclusive interview yesterday.
While the party has largely remained mum on the issue, the obvious choice would be Rahul Gandhi. But despite the backing, Rahul has shown little intention of taking up the responsibility and has so far been content playing the role of the voice of conscience in the party, negating unpopular decisions taken by the party.
Taking over as Prime Minister would be a quantum leap for a political leader who has shunned any ministerial responsibilities and has largely been involved with the party's administration. The Prime Minister's Office has already denied that he will be quitting any time before the Lok Sabha polls and it might mean something to Manmohan Singh to become the first Prime Minister to complete two whole terms in the chair.
While Singh's unwillingness to contest the 2014 polls doesn't come as a surprise, the decision to give Rahul a shot to prove himself could perhaps work to boost the Congress Vice President's image ahead of the 2014 polls. But with the dice loaded against him, both Rahul and the Congress perhaps realise it may just be a bet not worth taking.
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