Sonia or PM, who has the final say?

New Delhi: Quietly but firmly, it seems equations are changing between Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. While Sonia still calls the shots, post-oil price hike, Singh is asserting himself and yet not undermining Sonia's clout.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Prime Minister say that in the next 12 months, one will see more of the ‘bold’ Singh.

In 2004, Sonia sowed the sapling of a relationship that many felt wouldn’t work. After all, it was she who had gifted the job to Singh. It was assumed that Singh would be indebted to her for the post and it wouldn't be a bond between equals.

The BJP in particular was clear from day one that Sonia was remote controlling the UPA Government.

“Everyone in India knows that Sonia has the real power and Manmohan is just a puppet,” BJP leader, VK Malhotra said.

In the recent past Singh has been losing out in popular perception. Leader of the Opposition, LK Advani added fuel to fire, describing Singh as the most helpless Prime Minister the country has ever had.

Singh did not have any say in the last Cabinet reshuffle. It was Sonia who was calling the shots and it seemed as if Sonia was heading the Government and not Singh.

But, that may now be changing. The Congress wanted a fuel price downward revision. Singh who is learning to say ‘no’ refused to toe the line. Even Sonia’s wishes were not going to be fulfilled with Singh rejecting a roll back and the party was forced to look for other options.

“There is perfect synergy between the two. The Government takes a stand when it has public interest in mind and the party steps in to show concern for the people,” Congress Spokesperson, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

Those close to Singh say that in the next one year, the Prime Minister believes he is all set to push ahead with reforms. So, for once politics may lose out to economics.

Underneath the surface, Singh and Sonia seem to be working in tandem in this political game of image building.

Sonia does not want the face of this Government to appear weak and Singh cannot afford to tell the world that the UPA chairperson's wishes can be given the go by.

So, the price hike stays but the Congress-ruled states avoid the sales tax. It seems Sonia and Singh have worked it out nicely between themselves.

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