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Pics: From "accidental" to "weakest" PM, Manmohan Singh faced it all

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Dr Manmohan Singh- the man who defined 'dignity and diligence' in his own way as being the prime minister of India from last ten years in the Congress UPA-led government, his political career has come to the tipping point.

Always Under attack

With calm demeanor on his face, Dr Singh, was at the receiving end of harsh criticism to odd jokes by the opposition but he could have avoided that phase, had he changed his "soft and meek approach".

With more reforms in governance, during his tenure as the prime minister, Dr Singh, could have made his exit with a bang.

His cabinet ministers indulged in various scams and scandals, but the blame was always laid at his door, and he ended up becoming a "Captain of the sinking ship".

'Battered' image

A man of great personal integrity, Manmohan's 'clean reputation' image took a backseat when he continued to maintain a stoic silence, even during the times, when he was accountable to answer certain questions.

The former media advisor to the PM, Sanjay Baru's book- 'The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh'- provided an insight into the unseen world of the government.

He mentioned, "Singh had been "defanged" by Congress in his second term with Sonia Gandhi deciding on key appointments to the Cabinet and to the PMO. The PM seemed to "surrender" to her and to the UPA constituents."

One of the most embarrassing moment for Dr Singh happened when his half-brother Daljeet Singh joined the BJP, in the midst of the Lok Sabha elections.

LK Advani's harsh quotes on Dr Singh

2011: "The condition of the government is very bad. Sometimes I take pity at Manmohan Singh though I had respect for him at one time. When I criticised him by calling him 'weak' before the 2009 elections people asked me why I said that because he was a good and honest man. Calling him weak is not an abuse. But if the Prime Minister thinks that he cannot do anything till 10 Janpath does not give me clearance, it does not behove him."

2013: "I can without hesitation say that out of 14 Prime Ministers India has had, the worst rule has been of Manmohan Singh-Sonia Gandhi."

2014: "I have never seen such a weak prime minister... he has been the weakest prime minister ever. The Prime Minister should not have allowed corruption and scams to take place in the first place and exercised his authority to crack the whip against errant ministers."

Time for exit from 7 Race Course Road

On May 17, Dr Singh, is all set to submit his resignation to the President Pranab Mukherjee, having survived as one of the longest serving prime minister of India, leaves behind a 'void' legacy.

Here's a look at the tenure of Dr Manmohan Singh as the prime minister of India:

Manmohan Singh- The man of silence

Manmohan Singh- The man of silence

In 2004, Dr Manmohan Singh was sworn in as the 13th prime minister by the Congress president Sonia Gandhi, as he had the image of a "clean politician", without any stains of corruption.

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

Born on September 26, 1932, Manmohan, a renowned economist, served the nation as the one of the longest serving prime minister of the nation from 2004 to 2014.

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

Ten-year-old Manmohan's government was marred in various corruption cases from Commonwealth games to 2G spectrum scam.

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

81-year-old Dr Singh, is a great scholar and a thinker, who has held various prestigious positions in his at least six- decade old career. From a professor to the advisor on economic affairs to the then prime minister VP Singh in 1990, he has held numerous top positions.

The 'isolated' PM...alone at the top

The 'isolated' PM...alone at the top

Despite being plagued by corruption scandals, economic slowdown and a perceived effete government, the UPA-II could not afford to "retire" Manmohan Singh as prime minister as Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly failed to deliver electoral victories for the Congress party, Sanjay Baru's book revealed.

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In 1987, he became the proud recipient of the India's second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan.

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

From 1991 to 1996, he served the country as the finance minister, when India reached a new height in terms of the economy and he became the "architect of the economic liberalisation."

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In 1999, Dr Singh "unsuccessfully" contested the Lok Sabha seat from South Delhi.

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

Under UPA-II government rule, India achieved its highest GDP growth rate of 9% and became the second fastest growing major economy in the world in 2007.

The Underachiever

The Underachiever

In 2012, a "low-profile" Dr Singh appeared on the cover page of th Time magazine, that branded him as an "underachiever".

Appreciation from foreign media

Appreciation from foreign media

During his prime ministerial-ship, despite getting criticism at the home-ground, he received immense respect in the foreign media. For instance, The Independent described him as "one of the world's most revered leaders" and "a man of uncommon decency and grace".

Always Under attack

Always Under attack

With calm demeanor on his face, Dr Singh, was at the receiving end of harsh criticism to odd jokes by the opposition but he could have avoided that phase, had he changed his "soft and meek approach".

Mute spectator

Mute spectator

With more reforms in governance, during his tenure as the prime minister, Dr Singh, could have made his exit with a bang.

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

His cabinet ministers indulged in various scams and scandals, but the blame was always laid at his door, and he ended up becoming a "Captain of the sinking ship".

Battered image

Battered image

A man of great personal integrity, Manmohan's 'clean reputation' image took a backseat when he continued to maintain a stoic silence, even during the times, when he was accountable to answer certain questions.

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

The former media advisor to the PM, Sanjay Baru's book- 'The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh'- provided an insight into the unseen world of the government.

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

Baru's book mentioned, "Singh had been "defanged" by Congress in his second term with Sonia Gandhi deciding on key appointments to the Cabinet and to the PMO. The PM seemed to "surrender" to her and to the UPA constituents."

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

In Pics: Manmohan Singh's political career

One of the most embarrassing moment for Dr Singh happened when his half-brother Daljeet Singh joined the BJP, in the midst of the Lok Sabha elections.

The last episode

The last episode

On May 17, Dr Singh, is all set to submit his resignation to the President Pranab Mukherjee. The India is all set to get a new leadership on May 16, 2014.

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