Sharmishta launched a book titled “Pranab Mukherjee: A daughter remembers”

Book touches upon his turbulent relationship with Rajiv Gandhi

Baba felt that democracy is all about dialogue: Sharmishta

Sharmishta Mukherjee, former spokesperson for the Indian National Congress (INC) and daughter of former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, launched a book titled “Pranab Mukherjee: A daughter remembers” on December 11th. The book touches upon many aspects such as his turbulent relationship with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and his term as the President of India. 

An issue of controversy was Prnab Mukherjee attending a Rashtriya Swayamsevak (RSS) event on June 7th 2018. “I fought with Baba for three to four days over his decision. One day he said that it’s not me who is giving legitimacy but it’s the country. Baba felt that democracy is all about dialogue. It is about having a conversation with the opposition,” Sharmishta said during the launch. 

She addressed the criticism thrown at Pranab Mukherjee for his action. 

“There was this circulation in Congress-Left circles that him going to the RSS headquarters was providing legitimacy to the RSS. He said, ‘whom am I to give legitimacy to the RSS?’ He had the ability to hear the other side of the argument, that’s why he was called a consensus builder,” she said. 

Apart from Chidambaram there was sparse attendance for the event from INC party members as some excerpts of the book suggested that Sonia Gandhi curbed Pranab Mukherjee’s ambition to be the Prime Minister of India.