Days after the Supreme Court accepted the CBI’s closure report in the coal block allocation case involving former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led government.
In an article published in The Indian Express on Tuesday, Gandhi contrasted Singh’s record of integrity and accountability with the functioning of the Narendra Modi government. She said history would remember Singh as one of India’s calmest, simplest and most influential prime ministers.
Sonia alleges organised campaign against Singh
Gandhi alleged that the campaign against Manmohan Singh was “planned and organised” and involved sections of the bureaucracy, media, judiciary and civil society, along with people associated with the RSS and BJP.
She said the Supreme Court’s decision had brought the campaign to its “destined end” and claimed that Singh had been cleared of allegations in every case.
Gandhi described July 29 as an important but overlooked day in India’s recent political history. The Supreme Court had accepted the CBI’s closure report and quashed the trial court’s order summoning Singh in the Talabira-II coal block allocation case.
What was the case?
The case relates to the allocation of the Talabira-II coal block in Odisha in 2005 to Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, Neyveli Lignite Corporation and Hindalco Industries.
At the time, Singh was both Prime Minister and held the Coal Ministry portfolio. He had faced allegations that the allocation process was reopened despite the Screening Committee’s recommendation and that Hindalco was subsequently included in the allocation.
The CBI filed a closure report in 2014, finding no criminal case against Singh. However, the trial court rejected the report and summoned Singh and others in 2015.
On July 29, 2026, the Supreme Court accepted the CBI’s closure report and cancelled the trial court’s summoning order, saying there was no concrete reason to reject the closure report and take cognisance of the case.
Singh died on December 27, 2024.
Gandhi accuses Modi government of misusing agencies
Gandhi also accused the Modi government of misusing investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and CBI.
She alleged that the agencies were being used to put pressure on political leaders, claiming that some were either silenced or persuaded to join the BJP. She further alleged that some such leaders were subsequently given ministerial positions.
Recalls Modi’s 2017 ‘raincoat’ remark
Gandhi also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s controversial 2017 remark about Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha, in which he said Singh knew the “art of bathing while wearing a raincoat.”
She said Modi, who is now “forgiving” students, should also “forgive himself” for his remarks against the former prime minister.
Gandhi said the criticism of Singh was an attempt to divert public attention from his government’s performance.
Lists achievements of UPA government
Gandhi highlighted several initiatives of the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, including economic growth, the Right to Education, OBC reservations in centrally funded institutions, the Forest Rights Act, MGNREGA and the National Food Security Act, 2013.
She also credited the government with steering India through the 2008 global financial crisis and highlighted the India-US civil nuclear agreement as a major achievement.
According to Gandhi, the agreement ended decades of nuclear restrictions against India and strengthened the country’s position globally.
‘Students had freedom to protest’
Gandhi claimed that civil society became an influential force during Singh’s tenure and that students had greater freedom to protest against the government and Prime Minister.
She contrasted this with the current government, alleging that protesters now face harsher action.
Gandhi also said Singh regularly remained accountable to Parliament and the media through more than 100 unscripted press conferences.
‘Allegations against Singh proved hollow’
Gandhi said allegations questioning Singh’s integrity had ultimately proved to be “hollow”.
She expressed regret that Singh was not alive to witness the Supreme Court’s decision and said his 2014 prediction appeared to be coming true.
Gandhi concluded that history would remember Manmohan Singh with respect for his integrity, simplicity and contribution to India’s economic and social progress
