Sonia Gandhi discloses that Pranab Mukherjee suggested a change at the top of government following serious differences with then-Finance Minister P. Chidambaram. Rather than engaging the proposal, Gandhi redirected the discussion, noting Mukherjee harbored no resentment before his 2012 nomination as the coalition's presidential candidate. The memoir also vigorously defends her working relationship with Manmohan Singh, detailing an unspoken division of responsibility where she ran party affairs and deferred administrative authority to the prime minister.
Key points
Sonia Gandhi dismissed long-standing allegations that she acted as a back seat driver dur…: Sonia Gandhi dismissed long-standing allegations that she acted as a back seat driver during Manmohan Singh's premiership.
The memoir denies accusations that Gandhi summoned files from the Prime Minister’s Office…: The memoir denies accusations that Gandhi summoned files from the Prime Minister’s Office or interfered with bureaucratic appointments.
The governing arrangement functioned on an unspoken agreement where Gandhi managed the pa…: The governing arrangement functioned on an unspoken agreement where Gandhi managed the party while Singh exercised independent governmental authority.
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In the book, which hit the stands on Tuesday, Gandhi rejected allegations that she functioned as a "back seat driver" during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. She stated that she was conscious of the distinction between the roles of the prime minister and the Congress president, and believed that it was her responsibility to respect Manmohan Singh's position as head of the government.
Also read: Sonia Gandhi went from 'absolutely not' to 'theek hai' to firm no while deciding on taking up PM post
Gandhi writes that while she could offer Singh advice or suggestions in her capacity as party president, or disagree with him, she was determined to defer to his authority as prime minister.
"Further. I was determined not to be under any circumstance the cause of a misunderstanding that could give our opponents occasion to rejoice and weaken our government," she says.
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