JOIN USPranab to pen secrets of Indian politics
When the entire nation is preparing for the coronation of the 13th President, 76-year-old Pranab Mukherjee, the centre of attraction, is busy writing the history of the country — the history which he has seen unravelling in front of him for the last 50 years.
Senior-most member of the Congress Working Committee handling the Finance Ministry at the Centre and the Presidential candidate of the UPA, Mukherjee has started writing his autobiography — one of the most anticipated books in Indian politics and history.
The seven-time MP, who headed nine ministries over the course of his career, will finish the memoir in Raisina Hill.
“Beginning in 1960, his autobiography will cover 50 years of his successful and eventful political career. He is now writing about the crucial political phase of 1984 when the then PM Indira Gandhi was assassinated and the Congress was in turmoil,” Muk-herjee’s additional private secretary Prodyut Guha, who has been his political aide for more than 15 years, told Deccan Herald.
“Mukherjee, who started working on his autobiography one and a half year ago, is referring to more than 60 diaries in which he has recorded the political history which he has seen happening in front of his eyes. He has an extensive political career which is colourful and full of variety. All these will find place in the book,” said Guha.
“Moreover, he has an elephant’s memory and can recall anything with perfection,” Guha added.
The book will deal with some of the most controversial issues like the Emergency, Indira Gandhi’s coming to power, her assassination, his relation with Rajiv Gandhi — why it turned sour and his coming back with equal importance, Sonia’s entry into politics and his (Pranab’s) relation with the Gandhi family.
“The book will reveal the untold story of the Emergency period and how he (Pranab) defended Indira before the Shah Commission. In 1980, Pranab was made the publicity chief of the AICC and Indira thumbed back to power,” said Guha. “His memoirs will reveal some of the best kept secrets of Indian politics. Nobody has the real picture but he will tell the truth,” Guha added.
“Other major issues like Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in 1991, Narasimha Rao’s regime and his opinion on the demolition of Babri Masjid will also find place in the book,” he said.
When asked about the Presidential election, Guha said: “Actually as he was getting old he lost interest in contesting election and maintained that he would work for the party. After A P J Abdul Kalam when his name popped in the list of probables, he showed interest but at that time the Congress high command felt that he could not be spared and so Pratibha Patil was sent to Raisina Hills”.