Mukherjee said, "I must admire her political sagacity and great spirit of renunciation" to reject the proposal of being "prime minister of one billion-plus people".
"When she found attempts to divide the country on this issue (her name being proposed as prime minister in 2004), she displayed political sagacity (to refuse)," he said.
"She could have chosen to become (PM) anytime."
"After the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi when the CWC (Congress Working Committee) requested her to be president of the Congress... everyone knew that the one who is elected party leader becomes prime minister, but she refused."
Asked if he would persuade her to take a shot at becoming prime minister this time, Mukherjee laughed, saying "I have left it to her."
The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance is poised to form the government once again, having bagged 263 seats in the new Lok Sabha. Sonia Gandhi, also UPA chairperson, has proposed Manmohan Singh as prime minister.
Published 20 May 2009, 06:02 IST