The history of the Congress Party is linked to India’s freedom struggle and this party once dominated the political scene of the country. But in the last few decades, the politics within the party and its decisions raise many questions. Loyalty to the Gandhi family and the policies revolving around it have limited the party to some extent. This situation becomes more clear when those leaders within the Congress Party are ignored who made important contributions to the organization and the country, but were not considered loyal to the Gandhi family.
Recently, after the demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Congress’s demand for his memorial has again highlighted this issue. Two-time Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh passed away on 26 December 2024. After his death, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding to build a memorial in his name in Delhi. Kharge mentioned the contribution of Manmohan Singh in his letter and called it a matter of honor for the country. This demand may sound sensitive and justified, but it once again raised questions on the party’s politics and its real objectives.
Pranab Mukherjee’s daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee took a dig on this feedback Gave. He said on social media that when his father former President Pranab Mukherjee passed away, Congress did not even organize a condolence meeting in his honour. He said that he was misled by saying that Congress does not call a CWC (Congress Working Group) meeting on the death of people who have become President, whereas Pranab Mukherjee himself has written in his diary that on the death of former President Dr. KR Narayanan. But not only was the meeting called, but Pranab Mukherjee himself also took the message. This allegation by Sharmistha Mukherjee reflects the priorities of the Congress leadership and its loyalty towards the Gandhi family.
When baba passed away, Congress didn’t even bother 2 call CWC 4 condolence meeting. A senior leader told me it’s not done 4 Presidents. Thats utter rubbish as I learned later from baba’s diaries that on KR Narayanan’s death, CWC was called & condolence msg was drafted by baba only https://t.co/nbYCF7NsMB
— Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) December 27, 2024
Even before this, the example of this policy of Congress was given by P.V. Seen in the case of Narasimha Rao. After the death of Rao Saheb, who was the Prime Minister of the country from 1991 to 1996 and during whose tenure the foundation of economic liberalization in the country was laid, the party completely ignored him. At the time of his death in 2004, the Congress was in power, but his mortal remains were not kept at the party headquarters for the last rites. Even his last rites were not allowed to be performed in Delhi and his family was forced to take his body to Hyderabad.
Dr. Sanjay Baru, who was the media advisor to Dr. Manmohan Singh, while mentioning this incident in his book ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’, wrote that Narasimha Rao was never accepted in the party because he was out of the influence of the Gandhi family. This is not limited to just Narasimha Rao or Pranab Mukherjee, but the party also treated leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri in the same manner. Shastri ji, who was the second Prime Minister of the country and whose slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ is still alive in the hearts of the people, also did not get the place he deserved within the party.
Congress politics has always been based on loyalty to the Gandhi family. Leaders who did not show their loyalty to the family were marginalized within the party. The example of Pranab Mukherjee is proof of this. Despite serving the Congress for decades and reaching the post of President of the country, the party did not even organize a condolence meeting on his death. It is ironical that the party which did not give due respect to its senior leaders is today demanding a memorial for Dr. Manmohan Singh.
BJP also took Congress to task on this issue. BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan said that it is ironical that the party which could not give due respect to its own leaders is now doing politics of monuments. Kesavan took a jibe at the Congress and said that the party’s history is full of neglect by its non-loyal leaders.
It is indeed ironic that a Congress President is writing to PM @narendramodi ji about traditions & the funeral place becoming the sacrosanct venue for a memorial. One should remind Kharge ji how the Congress led UPA Govt never built a memorial in Delhi for former PM Narasimha… pic.twitter.com/nt59JttvrX
— CRKesavan (@crkesavan) December 27, 2024
The way Congress demanded a memorial after the death of Dr. Manmohan Singh, the question arises whether this step is actually a symbol of respect for his contribution or a political strategy? The history of Congress shows that the party has always given priority to the Gandhi family. Leaders who did not show their loyalty to the Gandhi family were either ignored or thrown out of the party.
The contribution of Dr. Manmohan Singh, who made many important policies while being the Prime Minister of the country and established India on the global stage, is undoubtedly praiseworthy. But the party demanding a memorial after his death should also think about how it has treated other leaders. Although the Modi government has said that a place will be identified to build Dr Manmohan Singh’s memorial after his cremation, the government never said that it will not provide space for Dr Manmohan Singh’s memorial.
By the way, it is important to mention one thing here that in the year 2013, when Dr. Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister, the Congress government had made a rule that no former Prime Minister would be given a place at Rajghat nor would a new memorial be built.
What would be the right thing to do?
Respect Manmohan Singh’s 2013 cabinet decision to save the land of the dead bodies of the Nehru family or should a new tradition be established.
By 2013, it became clear to Congress that Sonia Gandhi would never be able to become the Prime Minister and the characteristics of Rahul and Priyanka were also not good…
— Dilip Mandal (@Profdilipmandal) December 28, 2024
P.V. The example of Narasimha Rao is most relevant. Rao, known as the father of economic reforms, was always marginalized by Congress. This was not limited only to the time of his demise, but even during his lifetime the party did not give him the respect he deserved. At the same time, Modi government not only built a memorial of Narasimha Rao but also gave him full respect.
Similarly, Pranab Mukherjee, who served the party for decades and shaped the country’s policies by holding important positions like Finance Minister, Foreign Minister, etc., was also ignored for not showing loyalty to the Gandhi family. His daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee has made the issue more serious by making this allegation.
Congress needs to look within itself. The party has to understand that politics revolving only around the Gandhi family cannot keep it alive for long. Demanding a memorial for Dr. Manmohan Singh may be a positive step, but doing it merely for show raises questions about the credibility of the party. Because the people of the country have now become aware and have started understanding political hypocrisy.
