16.10.17

MMS on him becoming PM

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh has said ex-president Pranab Mukherjee had every reason for grievance at being ignored for prime ministership despite being more qualified but knew “I had no choice“ in the matter, and that smoothened their relationship.

Singh's comments at the launch of Mukherjee's book -`The coalition years -in the presence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her deputy Rahul Gandhi left the audience in splits. “In 2004, when Soniaji chose me to become the prime minister, Pranabji was one of the most distinguished colleagues that I had. He had every reason to feel a grievance that he was better qualified than I was to become the prime minister, but he also knew that I have no choice in the matter,“ the former PM said as the audience, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul, burst into guffaw.

Mukherjee wrote in his book that after the 2004 election victory there was intense speculation in the party about who would be the prime minister, but the consensus within the Congress was that the incumbent should be a political leader with experience in party affairs and administration.

“The prevalent expectation was that I would be the next choice for prime minister after Sonia Gandhi declined. This expectation was possibly based on the fact that I had extensive experience in government,“ he wrote.

Mukherjee also said that when he declined to join the government headed by Manmohan Singh, Sonia insisted on his being a part of it as he would be “vital to its functioning and also be of support of Singh“.

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