The Ashwatthama whisper - When Modi met Manmohan and the full story was not told initially

The photograph tweeted by Narendra Modi

TT, New Delhi, May 27: The Prime Minister and a former Prime Minister discussed, among other things, economic affairs - and the nation was given a crash course on how to be economical with words.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was warmly received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 6.30pm today at the Prime Minister's residence.

The meeting, not uncommon in democracies, sent tremors across the political spectrum because a few hours ago, Manmohan had launched a blistering attack on the performance of the Modi government in its first year in office.

The meeting at 7 Race Course Road was announced to the world by none other than the Prime Minister himself. Modi posted on Twitter a picture of him receiving Manmohan and tweeted: "Very happy to meet Dr. Manmohan Singh ji & welcome him back to 7RCR. We had a great meeting."

The Prime Minister's Office said on its website: "Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh called on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today at the Prime Minister's official residence, 7 Race Course Road (RCR)."

In the absence of any other information, conspiracy theories flew thick and fast, fuelled by a former telecom secretary's charges against Manmohan on the 2G scandal.

The Congress, which was savouring Manmohan's sharp critique of the Modi government, was blindsided by news of the meeting.

Others spoke of Manmohan's "sensitive" side and suggested that he must have been deeply hurt by the 2G innuendoes and wanted to clear the air with the Prime Minister. Some dropped less charitable hints of a deal.

While the political dust storm raged, the Prime Minister and his aides appeared to have reversed roles with their predecessors.

Rarely found wanting in communication skills, unlike Manmohan and his PMO, the Modi establishment became tongue-tied. A PMO source said: "The instruction from the Prime Minister is clear that it should be projected as a courtesy call and nothing more should be added."

The source then suggested Manmohan had asked for time from Modi today. Asked by this newspaper again when Manmohan had sought the appointment, the source replied: "Today only."

As the tide of speculation showed no sign of ebbing, Manmohan's secretary issued a statement late in the evening.

"At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met the Prime Minister today at 6.30pm at his residence, 7 Race Course Road. They discussed the economic situation in the country and foreign policy issues," said the statement issued by G.M. Pillai, secretary to Manmohan.

Neither Modi's first tweet nor the PMO statement had mentioned that it was on the invitation of the Prime Minister that Manmohan had visited 7 RCR - somewhat like the story of Ashwatthama in the Mahabharat where a partly inaudible sentence erroneously convinced Drona that his son had been killed.

But the damage had been done by then. Several Congress leaders said Modi had again proved himself to be a "politician among politicians" and the meeting had diluted Manmohan's attack earlier in the day. 

The Congress leaders felt that Manmohan should have somehow avoided meeting Modi today.

But veterans pointed out that when a Prime Minister invites a citizen, especially former Prime Ministers who will be privy to sensitive information, he or she should not play for time. An undeclared contingency could be behind such an invitation and a Prime Minister might want to consult his predecessor. These are systemic responsibilities, they added.

Senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said in response to a question: "The two leaders discussed foreign affairs and economy. I have talked to Manmohan Singhji and only these two issues were discussed."

Asked if the meeting could have been avoided today as the focus shifted from Manmohan's critique of the Modi government, Sharma said: "This is unnecessary speculation as the meeting was fixed three days ago. It was Modi who invited Dr Singh. There is nothing abnormal about it as a former Prime Minister is privy to important information about foreign relations, our strategic partnership with other countries, and the incumbent Prime Minister is free to consult."

PTI quoted sources close to Manmohan as saying Modi had sent a message yesterday morning, expressing a desire to meet his predecessor over tea sometime on Tuesday. This did not fructify and the meeting was scheduled for this evening, the news agency added.