Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi's new book 'Belonging: A Journey of Love' is in the news these days for its revelations. In this book, she has shared many experiences of coming to India from a small village in Italy, becoming the daughter-in-law of the Gandhi family, the pain of the assassination of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and her personal life. Meanwhile, a new controversy has arisen over a claim made regarding former President Pranab Mukherjee.
Sonia Gandhi has written in the book that during a conversation with her in 2010, Pranab Mukherjee had said that perhaps the time has come for change at the top level. Sonia has linked this to Pranab Mukherjee's desire to become the Prime Minister. Now Pranab Mukherjee's daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee has raised questions on his claim. He said that aspiring to become Prime Minister is not a crime and his father had the necessary experience and qualifications for the post.
Why did Sharmistha Mukherjee raise questions?
Sonia Gandhi has mentioned a conversation of 2010 in her book. According to him, at that time senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee had told him that perhaps there should be a change in the top leadership of the party. Sonia Gandhi saw this comment as an indication of her ambition to become Prime Minister. Sharmistha Mukherjee has expressed displeasure over this claim. He says that in politics it is absolutely normal for a senior leader to wish to become the Prime Minister. His father had worked in politics for decades and held the responsibility of many important ministries. In such a situation, it is not right to question his political ambitions.
What did Sharmistha say about Gandhi family?
Sharmistha Mukherjee raised the question that why should it be surprising that a capable leader outside the Gandhi family wishes to become the Prime Minister? He said that his father had long political experience, hard work and extraordinary understanding. In such a situation, it was natural for him to have a desire to become the Prime Minister. Sharmistha also expressed apprehension that Sonia Gandhi probably felt that Pranab Mukherjee could become a challenge to the Gandhi family or their leadership rights in the future. According to him, for this reason Pranab Mukherjee was not given the responsibility of the post of Prime Minister.
Who is Sharmistha Mukherjee?
Sharmistha Mukherjee was born on 30 October 1965 in West Bengal. Although he was born in Bengal, his childhood and early education took place in Delhi. She received her schooling from Lady Irwin School, Delhi. After this, he completed his graduation from St. Stephen's College and obtained a master's degree in sociology. Sharmistha's father late Pranab Mukherjee was the 13th President of the country. He held the post of President from 2012 to 2017. Before this, he had also held the responsibility of important departments like Finance, Defense and External Affairs Ministry in Congress governments. His mother Suvra Mukherjee was a singer and writer. Sharmistha has two brothers, Abhijeet Mukherjee and Inderjeet Mukherjee. Abhijeet has also been a former Lok Sabha MP.
How was your career?
After completing her studies in sociology, Sharmistha Mukherjee made dance her career instead of job. He started learning Kathak at the age of just 12. He took training in the Kathak style of Jaipur Gharana from famous gurus like Pandit Durgalal, Vidushi Uma Sharma and Rajendra Gangani. Sharmistha Mukherjee entered active politics by taking membership of Congress in July 2014.
He was given the responsibility of national spokesperson in the party. Apart from this, she was also the President of Delhi Mahila Congress. In the year 2015, he had contested the elections from Greater Kailash Assembly seat of Delhi on Congress ticket, but he had to face defeat. After this, in September 2021, he decided to leave active politics.