Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi has disclosed in her recently released memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, that senior party stalwart Pranab Mukherjee hinted at his aspiration for the Prime Minister's office in 2010. The revelation details a private discussion where Mukherjee, then a key minister, suggested a leadership change while Dr. Manmohan Singh led the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
Pranab Mukherjee's Subtle Hint for Top Leadership
Gandhi recounts how Mukherjee, known for his erudition, would often engage in informal discussions after official coordination group meetings. She notes that Mukherjee had developed significant disagreements with then-Finance Minister P. Chidambaram. During one such interaction in 2010, after expressing his frustrations, Mukherjee reportedly 'shocked' Gandhi by suggesting that 'perhaps it was time for a change at the top,' which she interpreted as a clear indication of his long-held desire to become prime minister.
Gandhi states that she gently steered the conversation away from the subject, and while Mukherjee may have been disappointed, he never held it against her. Mukherjee went on to become India's 13th President in 2012, a nomination supported by the Congress-led alliance. Gandhi maintained her meetings with him even after he assumed the presidential office, valuing his insights as a knowledgeable politician.
Sonia Gandhi Rejects 'Back-Seat Driver' Allegations
The memoir also addresses persistent allegations that Sonia Gandhi exercised undue control over the UPA government from outside. Gandhi firmly rejects claims that she interfered in administrative decisions, accessed official government files, or influenced key appointments during the UPA's tenure from 2004 to 2014.
She describes an 'unspoken division of responsibility' between herself and Dr. Manmohan Singh, characterizing it as 'the government under Dr. Manmohan Singh, and the party under me.' While she, as Congress president, could offer suggestions or express disagreements, she consistently recognized Singh's ultimate authority as prime minister.
Gandhi emphasizes her determination to avoid any misunderstanding that could empower opponents or weaken the government. She recalls a weekly 'core group' meeting with Singh, which included Mukherjee, Arjun Singh, A.K. Antony, and Ahmed Patel, to coordinate between the party and the government. A separate 'strategy group' also met to discuss parliamentary issues.
Gandhi expresses particular distress over what she calls 'malicious and totally false allegations' in a book by one of Singh's former aides, accusing her of examining official files despite holding no government position. She asserts her strict adherence to rules and notes that the Prime Minister's Office had previously issued a statement denying these claims.