Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee and a former Congress member, has criticized the Congress party for its inconsistent approach to honoring its leaders. Her remarks come amidst the ongoing debate over the Congress’s demand for a separate memorial space for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Sharmistha revealed that after her father’s passing, the Congress failed to convene a Working Committee meeting to offer condolences. “When baba passed away, Congress didn’t even bother to call a CWC for a condolence meeting. A senior leader told me it’s not done for Presidents. That’s utter rubbish,” she stated, highlighting that her father’s diaries documented how such a meeting had been held after former President KR Narayanan’s death, with Pranab Mukherjee himself drafting the condolence message.
When baba passed away, Congress didnt 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
Manmohan Singh Deserves a Memorial
While critical of Congress’s past actions, Sharmistha supported the idea of a memorial for Dr. Manmohan Singh. “A memorial for Dr. Singh is a great idea. He deserves it and also Bharat Ratna, which baba, as President, wanted to confer on him; but that didn’t happen, perhaps due to two reasons which don’t need to be spelt out,” she remarked.
Having said that, a memorial for Dr. Singh is a great idea. He deserves it & also Bharat Ratna which baba as President wanted 2 confer on him; but that didn’t happen perhaps due 2 reasons which don’t need to be spelled out. https://t.co/5MhH7k5Smq pic.twitter.com/yUZCEXNMxK
— Sharmistha Mukherjee (@Sharmistha_GK) December 27, 2024
The controversy intensified after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a memorial site for Dr. Singh at the place of his cremation. Initially, the Centre declined the request, announcing that the cremation would occur at Nigambodh Ghat, a public crematorium. The decision sparked outrage within Congress, with party leader Jairam Ramesh calling it a “deliberate insult.”
ALSO READ: Centre approves space for Manmohan memorial but Congress slams delay
“The people of our country are unable to understand why the Indian government could not find a place for his funeral and memorial befitting his global stature,” Ramesh tweeted.
BJP Hits Back
The BJP countered by pointing out Congress’s own history of neglecting its leaders. Party spokesperson CR Kesavan cited the lack of a memorial for former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao during the Congress-led UPA government. “One should remind Kharge ji how the Congress-led UPA government never built a memorial in Delhi for former PM Narasimha Rao ji, who passed away in 2004. It was only PM Modi ji in 2015 who instituted a memorial for Narasimha Rao ji,” Kesavan said.
Resolution Reached
In a late-night development, the Centre agreed to provide a separate space for Dr. Manmohan Singh’s memorial, bringing an end to the heated controversy. However, Sharmistha Mukherjee’s comments have reignited discussions about Congress’s selective approach to honoring its stalwarts, raising questions about internal practices and priorities.
