Sharmistha Mukherjee Critiques Congress for Ignoring Condolences After Her Father's Passing (IANS Interview)

New Delhi, Dec 28 (NationPress) Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of the late President Pranab Mukherjee, has publicly condemned the Congress party for not organizing a formal condolence meeting post her father's passing in 2020. She urged that former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh deserves the prestigious Bharat Ratna award for his remarkable contributions to the nation's progress.

Sharmistha’s remarks come in response to a recent suggestion made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding a separate memorial for Dr. Manmohan Singh.

In a detailed telephonic interview with IANS, Sharmistha shared her grievances with the Congress, her father's 'marginalization' within the party, and the broader political implications of these matters.

IANS: You recently commented on social media about the Congress leadership's failure to convene a condolence meeting following your father's death in August 2020. What are your thoughts on this?

Sharmistha Mukherjee: First, I want to stress that I am not attempting to incite controversy regarding Dr. Manmohan Singh’s memorial. As a two-time Prime Minister and the architect of India’s economic reforms, he unquestionably deserves a memorial, and I firmly believe he should be honored with the Bharat Ratna for his significant contributions to nation-building. Nonetheless, my primary concern is the absence of a formal condolence meeting for my father organized by the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

When I came across a tweet from BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan emphasizing the inadequate recognition of P.V. Narasimha Rao after his death, it evoked memories of how my father's demise was treated by Congress. My father had been affiliated with the Congress for over three decades, and I had anticipated a formal acknowledgment from the CWC, which never materialized. Although Sonia Gandhi sent me a personal message, I felt deeply wounded by the absence of official acknowledgment from the party.

I consulted with senior leaders who suggested that since my father had served as President, it was not customary to extend condolences to a former head of state. However, I found this reasoning unconvincing. While reviewing his diary, I discovered that he had personally drafted condolence messages for other Presidents, such as K.R. Narayanan, after their deaths. Given my father's long-standing involvement with Congress, both as president and as a pivotal leader, he certainly warranted formal recognition, which was sadly absent.

IANS: What is your opinion on Mallikarjun Kharge’s suggestion for a memorial for Dr. Manmohan Singh?

Sharmistha Mukherjee: As I stated earlier, I wholeheartedly support the initiative for a memorial for Dr. Manmohan Singh. He was instrumental in India’s economic reforms, and his contributions to the nation are vast. He indeed deserves the Bharat Ratna, and I have no objections to the proposal for a memorial.

However, I feel disheartened that my father did not receive a comparable gesture of acknowledgment from Congress. This matter is unrelated to Dr. Singh’s memorial; rather, I believe my father, who had invested decades in the party, deserved formal condolences from the CWC. I also urge the government to establish a memorial for Dr. Singh, recognizing his invaluable service to the country.

IANS: Do you think Congress is engaging in politics surrounding these matters?

Sharmistha Mukherjee: I think this question should be posed to Congress. When my father passed away, Sonia Gandhi sent me a very thoughtful personal message. However, personal condolences differ significantly from institutional tributes. Having been with Congress for 45 years, including five years as president and over 30 years with the CWC, it was expected that the CWC would arrange a formal condolence meeting. The fact that this did not occur, especially during the pandemic when virtual meetings were feasible, was very painful for me.

IANS: Do you think Congress is politicizing Dr. Manmohan Singh's passing?

Sharmistha Mukherjee: I cannot represent Congress. I am no longer affiliated with any political party. However, why was P.V. Narasimha Rao's body barred from entering the AICC posthumously? Why didn’t Congress conduct a formal meeting for Pranab Mukherjee after his death? These are queries that only Congress can address.

IANS: Do you think Congress granted Dr. Manmohan Singh the autonomy he required during his time as Prime Minister?

Sharmistha Mukherjee: According to my father's diary entries, Sonia Gandhi, in her capacity as UPA Chairperson, did not meddle in governance. Nevertheless, she maintained final authority over appointments like ministers and governors. My father’s writings indicate that Sonia Gandhi did not interfere with the daily administration of the government.

IANS: Do you believe the Gandhi family treated Dr. Manmohan Singh and your father with the respect they deserved?

Sharmistha Mukherjee: Yes, my father was highly regarded within the party, and his contributions were recognized. However, whether the absence of formal condolences from the CWC stemmed from a deliberate choice or a lapse in institutional memory is uncertain. If Congress has indeed lost its institutional memory and forgotten its protocols, that is a lamentable situation.

IANS: Do you think the relationship between the Gandhi family and other Congress leaders will evolve in the future?

Sharmistha Mukherjee: I am not an astrologer, so I cannot foresee the future.