'Not Me Who's Giving Legitimacy But The Country': Pranab Mukherjee's Daughter On His Views On Attending RSS Event

Sharmishtha Mukherjee, daughter of former president Pranab Mukherjee, recalled during the launch of her book, "Pranab My Father: A Daughter Remembers," about her disagreement with her father's decision to attend a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) event.

She stated, "I fought with Baba for three to four days over his decision. One day he said that it's not me who is giving legitimacy but it's the country. Baba felt that democracy is all about dialogue. It is about having a conversation with the opposition."

Expressing disappointment at the limited attendance of Congress leaders, she suggested introspection on their commitment to values.

Sharmishtha clarified that she did not alter her father's views in the book and shared his sentiments about the Congress's role in upholding parliamentary democracy.

The conversation delved into Pranab Mukherjee's exclusion from the Congress Working Committee in 1986 and his subsequent expulsion, leading to his brief stint with the Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress.

Sharmishtha shared her father's disappointment at not being included in the P V Narsimha Rao cabinet but acknowledged his cordial working relationship with Manmohan Singh during the Congress rule.