About Pranab Mukherjee: From the Editor-in-Chief – India Today
It is ironic to think that Pranab Mukherjee, the most important member of Congress Party, is ignored for the post of Prime Minister by the party. At present no congress leader can match his intellectual capability along with silent conviction and over the board maturity that includes the Prime Minister and the Party President. In the midst of 70s he must have churned the past of his political life that in any reckoning can produce a CV to occupy the chair of the prime minister. Alas, this indispensible soldier of the congress party is used beyond aptitude, yet not given the appropriate reward that he deserves the most.
In an interview with Priya Shegal, a senior editor of India Today, he has opened his mind that may not liked by the so-called party top bosses. His respect to the Nehru-Gandhi family is impeccable, but the respect he deserves through politics was not conferred to him. The man who served the country as Finance Minister, Defense Minister, external Affairs Minister, and many other portfolios has been taken lightly when the question of the post of Prime Minister arose.
Is there a rule that says self respect has to be sacrificed in politics? For Pranabda, this seems to have become a rule. Today he is the man of all seasons in the party; for every critical issue he is given the task of solving the same and he comes out of the problem with flying colors. This quiet man with never forgetting writing habit would certainly be approached by the renowned publishers to make his daily habit a book, which, I am sure, would be popular to the public.
Why Mukherjee, a man of integrity with strong principles, did not revolt against the dynastic politics is difficult to fathom. This is one point, which I think would certainly go against him. Did he fear of losing the importance that he is getting against his work? The family power of N-G family did not allow anybody to rise above them however good they were. This rule did not allow Pranab Mukherjee to go beyond a certain point. Loyalty is justified sense is ok, but loyalty for the sake of flattering is totally wrong. Today in congress party the term democracy is absent and all party members accept this with full consent. There is a race to stay near the high command to get her blessings, which is the most important aspect for the congress politicians of all ages.
Sonia Gandhi could not become the Prime Minister for reasons all know; but her son the 40 years old Rahul, is all set to occupy the highest constitutional seat of the country even though he does not deserve the same. Mukherjee neither can protest against all odds, nor he can serve under him is the desire he expressed to the senior editor in the interview. This is a stark revelation that would make the party circles in the congress concern.
This crisis solver was remembered all the time by the party in every tricky situation, but not at the time of rewarding him because the high command with her flatterers took him granted. This soft spoken Bengali politician is deprived by his party to the extent that no one would have accepted it. The time is ripe for Pranab Mukherjee to come out of his false loyalty to the N-G family and show to the country that he meant a clean and healthy politics. He served all the prime ministers of congress party and now thinks enough is enough. Over staying in the wicket must be stopped now that he categorically told to the senior editor in the interview.
So, Pranabda, at last you have realized the ignorance of party that you served selflessly for more than four decades.