Who would be the next PM? Advani or Manmohan! Or any other politician who might emerge as dark horse? That is perhaps the most important question in the minds of the people when the general elections 2009 in the largest democracy in the world would conclude. Whether people would go for a change or continue with the current would be the decisive outcome. A fair assessment of comparative study of both leaders, at this stage, would be an interesting exercise to know about the strengths and weaknesses of both the leaders.
Coming from different socio-religious background, both were born in Pakistan and later migrated to India. Both have seen the holocaust of partition, but one is changed towards Hindu cause the other towards humane cause.
Personality wise, both are poles apart: while Advani is loquacious orator famous for stentorian, passion-generating speeches with zealot like approach, Singh weighs his thoughts and minces words before speaks out in a soft voice. As a crowd puller, Advani is for the masses, Singh loves to convince the serious audience in a low-pitched and sophisticated tone.
Age wise, both are old: while Advani is five year older to Singh, the latter appears weaker in physical disposition than the former, who shows exemplary physique. While strict discipline has helped Advani look vibrant at 81, Singh has a couple of surgical operations due to general ailment related to age. Health is a crucial factor that could go against Singh.
Education wise, both have different degrees: while Advani is less educated than Manmohan, who is D.Phil from the University of Oxford Nuffield College and won the Wright's Prize for distinguished performance in 1955 and 1957, Singh has been a distinguish scholar, whose topic of doctorate thesis, "India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth” perhaps shaped his vision for reforms towards liberalization.
Ideology wise, both are at two different ends: while Advani professes, practices and preaches Hindutva borne out of his RSS background, with a little moderation in appearance and speeches post-Babri mosque destruction, Singh believes and declares humanistic approach, with secular ideals in public life. If Advani is a nationalist with Hindutva tilt seeking Hindus as lead players in making India a formidable power, Singh is a secular with a developmental look working for all sections of the society to flourish, so that India could be a leader in global arena. Advani has been a staunch RSS man while Singh an ardent economist.
Career wise, both have different graphs: while Advani has worked as RSS pracharak before switching over to political stage though taught in school for a short period of time, Singh, apart from working with IMF and UN, taught at the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University and served as Governor of Reserve Bank of India. While Advani has people’s backing as he has fought and won many elections, Singh has never won election for the Lok Sabha. As a mass leader in a democratic country, Advani has clear edge over Singh.
On the performance level, one has a clear edge over the other: while Advani has not been so successful as the Home Minister, or Deputy Prime Minister, Singh has some notable credits to his kitty. From failure to construct the Ram Temple, a promise on which the BJP had come to power, to Gujarat pogrom, Advani not only failed to act decisively, but also in a partisan manner. While Singh has been the initiator of economic reforms in 1991 that led to India’s current growth story, Advani has no intellectual contribution for the development of the country. The credit for Indo-US deal and cornering Pakistan via disciplined diplomacy in the aftermath of Mumbai terror attacks goes to Singh, Advani has had nothing as such except mass mobilization towards Hindutva and advocacy for tougher laws meant to prosecute Muslims, not Hindus.
Image wise, both are miles apart: while Advani has always been hailed a hardliner or iron man, Singh has gentleman like posture. For Hindus, Advani may be an idol, but for Muslims he is a persona non-grata, a hate monger who started the second Hindu-Muslim divide. Advani is an accused in Babri mosque demolition apart from his indict ion in Jain Hawala case, while Singh has a clean image. People can doubt Advani’s promise, but hardly disbelieve Singh’s statements. While Advani is aggressive and obdurate in attack, Singh is mild in response but rich in meaning. Igniting sentiment is the hallmark of Advani’s inherent personality, while Singh hardly indulges in divisive politics. While Advani possesses congested outlook in promoting nationalism and fruits of development, Singh seems broadminded in outreach and distribution of benefits from developmental programmes.
Contribution wise, both have done services to the nation: while Singh has definite edge over Advani, in terms of programmes and initiatives for the development of the country, Advani has nothing as such. For the nonce, we need to wait and watch as who would be the king: Singh or Advani?
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