<p>Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Siddaramaiah on Tuesday bemoaned later former President Pranab Mukherjee’s decision to attend an event organised by the RSS, the BJP’s ideological parent.</p>.<p>In June 2018, Mukherjee addressed the Tritiya Varsh Varg event held at the RSS’ headquarters in Nagpur.</p>.<p>READ: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/former-president-pranab-mukherjee-cremated-with-full-state-honours-880952.html" target="_blank"><strong>Former President Pranab Mukherjee cremated with full state honours</strong></a></p>.<p>“He was a genius in that he had a grip on so many issues. He was also the go-to person. For example, there were some 50 groups of ministers that he chaired because of his ability to easily answer questions and consult everyone before deciding on things. I don’t understand why such a genius, during his final years, went to the RSS office,” Kharge lamented.</p>.<p>“I wanted to convey this to him if I had the chance to meet him in person,” said Kharge, who served as a minister along with Mukherjee in the Manmohan Singh government.</p>.<p>READ: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/pranab-visits-hedgewar-birthplace-ahead-rss-speech-673793.html" target="_blank">Hatred, intolerance will dilute India's existence: Pranab Mukherjee</a></p>.<p>Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah concurred with Kharge. “It’s a big mystery to me,” he said. “Having spent a long career in the Congress and soon after leaving the presidency, he addressed a conference of the RSS, the organisation that killed Mahatma Gandhi. In my personal opinion, he shouldn't have gone.”</p>.<p>Both Kharge and Siddaramaiah were speaking at a condolence meet organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).</p>.<p>Former union minister KH Muniyappa, former minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, KPCC working presidents Saleem Ahmed and Eshwar Khandre among others were present.</p>
<p>Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Siddaramaiah on Tuesday bemoaned later former President Pranab Mukherjee’s decision to attend an event organised by the RSS, the BJP’s ideological parent.</p>.<p>In June 2018, Mukherjee addressed the Tritiya Varsh Varg event held at the RSS’ headquarters in Nagpur.</p>.<p>READ: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/former-president-pranab-mukherjee-cremated-with-full-state-honours-880952.html" target="_blank"><strong>Former President Pranab Mukherjee cremated with full state honours</strong></a></p>.<p>“He was a genius in that he had a grip on so many issues. He was also the go-to person. For example, there were some 50 groups of ministers that he chaired because of his ability to easily answer questions and consult everyone before deciding on things. I don’t understand why such a genius, during his final years, went to the RSS office,” Kharge lamented.</p>.<p>“I wanted to convey this to him if I had the chance to meet him in person,” said Kharge, who served as a minister along with Mukherjee in the Manmohan Singh government.</p>.<p>READ: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/pranab-visits-hedgewar-birthplace-ahead-rss-speech-673793.html" target="_blank">Hatred, intolerance will dilute India's existence: Pranab Mukherjee</a></p>.<p>Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah concurred with Kharge. “It’s a big mystery to me,” he said. “Having spent a long career in the Congress and soon after leaving the presidency, he addressed a conference of the RSS, the organisation that killed Mahatma Gandhi. In my personal opinion, he shouldn't have gone.”</p>.<p>Both Kharge and Siddaramaiah were speaking at a condolence meet organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).</p>.<p>Former union minister KH Muniyappa, former minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, KPCC working presidents Saleem Ahmed and Eshwar Khandre among others were present.</p>
