Dr Singh was Mr Clean, never required judicial validation to prove his integrity: Shiv Sena(UBT) in 'Saamana'

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Friday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the Supreme Court's verdict granting a complete posthumous "clean chit" to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in the long-pending Talabira-II coal block allocation case.

The case pertained to the allocation of the Talabira-II coal block in Odisha. In 2015, a special court had issued summonses to Dr Singh and several others. Although the Supreme Court subsequently stayed the proceedings, the case remained pending until the final verdict was delivered.

In an editorial published in its party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction described the verdict as a decisive clearance of the single political stain attempted to be cast upon Dr Singh, while demanding an official apology from the Prime Minister. "Will Prime Minister Modi now admit that those allegations were false and politically motivated? Will he offer an apology, if not to the nation, then at least to the soul of Dr Singh?" the editorial questioned.

The editorial emphasised that Dr Singh was "Mr Clean" in every true sense and never required judicial validation to prove his integrity. It highlighted the systemic failure of the justice delivery mechanism, noting that the late leader had to bear unfounded allegations throughout his life, only to receive exoneration long after his passing.

The editorial argued that this outcome highlights the deep callousness embedded within our system. Claiming that tarnishing a clean political figure for electoral gain constitutes a grave sin, the Shiv Sena(UBT) stated that seeking atonement is the only remaining option for the current leadership.

The Thackeray faction asserted that the 20-year shadow of political allegations allowed political opponents to extract undue advantage during the UPA administration and beyond.

The editorial concluded by asking whether the nation should express relief over the clearing of a political smear or grief that Dr Singh was denied this satisfaction during his lifetime, calling on both the judiciary and the political establishment to reflect on the deep delays in the legal process.

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