After a storied career, former PM likely to retire from public life

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh is likely to retire from public life after a five-decade-long storied career, people aware of the matter said on Thursday, adding that the 91-year-old leader's frail health had rendered discharging his duties as a parliamentarian very difficult.

- Sunetra Choudhury

Singh, who has been a member of the Upper House since 1991, has been unable to attend a single day of Parliament's Budget session this year and his last appearance in the House at the start of the Winter session for a single day. "He is mentally well, but finds it difficult to move," said an aide, requesting anonymity. "His return to the Rajya Sabha is out of the question." 

The Congress refused to comment on his possible retirement.

He was unable to attend the session on Thursday, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former PM Deve Gowda lauded the senior Congress leader as they bid farewell to members retiring from the Upper House.