From the way MMSingh has conducted himself in the Government so far and his background, I do not think he could have gained anything personally. The Government's decision making processes are notoriously vague. But every buck stops with the Chief Executive just because there is no more space for the buck to move up. Thus MMS has to own up the vicarious and constructive responsibility for whatever happened as the PM as well as the Coal Minister at the relevant time. It is his misfortune that he accepted the PM post offered by Congress. That one blunder will haunt him throughout his life.
I would prefer a private settlement of the issue by BJP and MMS (not involving Congress) so that the future PMs do not have to always keep a wary watch over their shoulders. It is a position where decisions (good or bad) have to be taken as nothing can be postponed to the next hour. As long as it is clear that MMS has not benefited personally in any way, BJP should show magnanimity and let him off the hook. This they should do without asking for a quid pro quo. That would do a lot of good to the nation. The people involved in this exercise should swear to secrecy.
I am reminded of the special group of experts who analysed on a real-time, on going basis every decision, every step, every movement, every expression, every thought process that crossed the mind and every behavioral aspect of John F. Kennedy at the historic moment when he took the momentous decision on Bay of Pig confrontation with an unpredictable nuclear armed Soviet Union. The group recorded in minutest detail all the details just for the benefit of the posterity. What was staring at Kennedy was a nuclear holocaust without adequate time for a reprisal. As he grappled with the uncertainties and dangers and was cracking, as the leader he remained terribly alone at that level. And I have only appreciation for the thoughtful Americans . Can we Indians rise above our bitter wrangling and political one-up-man-ship to take a broader view in the interest of the institution called PM? This is a million dollar question. If BJP does it I will be proud of being an Indian.
