"History Will Be Kinder to Me": Dr. Manmohan Singh's Last Press Conference As Prime Minister Resonates in Digital India

Following the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, the internet was flooded with a poignant clip from his last press conference as Prime Minister, held on January 3, 2014. In this press briefing, Dr. Singh, responding to a journalist’s question, famously remarked: "History will be kinder to me than the contemporary media..." The comment has since remained etched in the annals of history, particularly for its timing. Just months later, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept to power, with Narendra Modi assuming office as Prime Minister, riding a wave of anti-incumbency sentiment fuelled by corruption charges against the Congress government , which had been then led by Dr. Singh.

During this final press conference, NDTV senior journalist Sunil Prabhu questioned Dr. Singh on his inability to rein in his ministers and his reluctance to act in several critical situations. With characteristic composure, Dr. Singh responded with a smile: "I honestly believe history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or, for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament." The remark, delivered with quiet confidence, elicited laughter from the room full of journalists.

As time has passed, Dr. Singh's statement has proven to be prescient. Politicians from across the political spectrum have since invoked it to acknowledge the enduring legacy of the former Prime Minister, whose visionary economic reforms in 1991 reshaped India’s growth trajectory. Dr. Singh passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday, with AIIMS Delhi attributing his death to age-related health concerns. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, paying tribute, remarked: “Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly.” Dr. Singh, widely recognized as the architect of India’s economic liberalisation, had once famously said: “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come.” In the wake of his passing, many have recalled his words, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor observing, “Just ten years since his remark, he is already being proven right. History will indeed be kinder to him.”

A Legacy Marred by Scandals but Defined by Reform

Dr. Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 was marred by several high-profile corruption scandals, including the infamous coal scam. In 2015, a Special CBI court had summoned Dr. Singh as an accused in connection with alleged irregularities in the allotment of the Talabira-II coal block to Hindalco. However, the Supreme Court granted him relief, staying the summons in April of that year.

Despite the controversies, Dr. Singh’s legacy remains one of transformative economic reform. His tenure as Finance Minister in 1991 marked a turning point for India’s economy. The economic liberalisation he championed is widely credited with paving the way for India’s rapid growth in the years that followed. As Prime Minister, he served two terms—2004 to 2009, and again from 2009 to 2014—leading the country through a period of significant economic growth, even as his government faced increasing political turbulence.

Dr. Singh's final major intervention in Parliament was in strong opposition to Prime Minister Modi’s controversial demonetisation policy on November 24, 2016, which he described as an “organised loot and legalised plunder.” His criticism of the policy, delivered with his trademark calm yet firm demeanour, resonated with many who viewed the decision as a setback for the economy.

The End of an Era

Dr. Manmohan Singh's January 2014 press conference remains significant not only for its content but also for its place in history. It marked his final press briefing as Prime Minister, and, by coincidence, it was also the last time an Indian Prime Minister would hold a press conference on Indian soil.​