Based on the late President’s diary entries and conversations with her, the book reveals that Mukherjee was disillusioned with the Gandhi-Nehru family’s stranglehold on the Congress. He referred to it as “the worst form of hegemony.”
What is the significance of this story?
Sharmishtha stepped down from active politics in 2021, but remained a key member of the Congress. The same year, her brother, former Congress MP Abhijit Mukherjee, defected to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Soon after, their aunt Suvra Ghosh, the former president of the West Bengal Congress, joined the TMC.
Mukherjee reportedly grew closer to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and its parent organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in his later years, indicating deteriorating relations with the Congress.
Congress became a safe haven for the Gandhi-Nehru family: Mukherjee
Mukherjee’s complicated relationship with Rajiv Gandhi is also discussed in the book.
In his diary, he wrote that turning Congress into a preserve for the Gandhi-Nehru family weakened its democratic character. He noted that after independence, five family members controlled the Congress presidency for 37 years.
“Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have lost base acquired in part by Soniaji in 2001-2003 since 2004.” “All they care about is forming a government at the Centre under Congress with other regional parties,” he wrote.
Rahul Gandhi’s political immaturity was criticized by Pranab Mukherjee.
He was particularly critical of Rahul’s decision in 2013 to publicly tear down an ordinance on convicted politicians while then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was away.
He saw this as the “final nail in the coffin” that led to the defeat of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in 2014.
In his diary, Mukherjee wrote, “He has all the arrogance of his Gandhi-Nehru lineage without their political acumen.”
Rahul Gandhi’s actions were called into question by the former President.
Sharmishtha writes that when her father found out about Rahul’s public ordinance tearing, he was furious.
“Who does he think he is?” he wondered. He does not serve on the Cabinet. Who is he to openly criticize a Cabinet decision? “The Prime Minister is on vacation.”
“Does he realize the consequences of his actions and the impact they will have on the Prime Minister and the government?” What gives him the right to humiliate the Prime Minister in this manner?”
India has never had a Prime Minister.
The book reflects Mukherjee’s disappointment at not becoming Prime Minister.
When Sonia declined the position in 2004, speculation swirled about Mukherjee’s appointment. “Sonia Gandhi will not make me PM,” he told his daughter. Mr. Manmohan Singh.”
When asked later if he was disappointed, he replied, “If there is no expectation, there is no disappointment.”
As a result of this sentiment, Mukherjee has been referred to as the PM India never had or the PM in eternal waiting.