Gandhis sidelined PV Narasimha Rao, says grandson; demands apology
From not letting Rahul Gandhi resign to protecting the family tooth and nail, we all know Congress only accepts "Gandhis" as their leaders. Such is the ecosystem of the grand old party that if a non-Gandhi rises to the top, he is sidelined. The same happened with former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao and now, his grandson wants an apology.
Lesson in history: After Rajiv Gandhi's death, Rao led Congress
For those who don't know, Rao served as Prime Minister between 1991 and 1996. He led Congress after Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. In the five years that he governed the nation, Rao laid roots for India's nuclear strides, brought in economic liberation, and worked on foreign policy. Despite commendable governance, he couldn't lead Congress to victory in 1996 and was criticized for it.
Shockingly, Congress leader "blamed" Rao for party's current state
Now, it has been years since Rao passed away but for some in Congress, he is "responsible" for the sorry state of the party(?). On Wednesday, AICC Secretary G Chinna Reddy claimed Rao "bit the hand that fed him". He reminded Sonia Gandhi invited Rao to become the PM. Further, Reddy also said Rao "allowed" Babri Masjid demolition, which drifted Muslims away from Congress.
Subsequently, Rao's grandson slammed Reddy
For obvious reasons, Reddy's comments didn't go down well with Rao's grandson NV Subhash, who is a BJP leader. Subhash said Reddy's statement that Rao "sidelined" Gandhi family wasn't true at all. "Rao was the most trusted and loyal leader for Gandhi family and always guided the family on many issues," Subhash explained. Instead, it was the Gandhi family who sidelined Rao, said Subhash.
Rao always kept Sonia in loop, said his grandson
Explaining how Rao worked, Subhash said he personally met Sonia several times to apprise her about decisions, including election process, campaign, and allotment of tickets in Assembly elections. Subhash went on to say that it was Sonia who wasn't initially interested in politics and didn't want her kids to join it either. "So, where is the question of suppressing the family," asked Subhash.
Rao's body wasn't even allowed inside AICC headquarters, reminded Subhash
"It is very clear and evident that his dead body was not even allowed to enter the headquarters of AICC in Delhi. All the former PM's memorial was built in New Delhi except that of Rao's which shows the indifferent attitude of the Congress leaders," he said.
"At least Gandhis should apologize for injustice done to Rao"
On Reddy's allegation that Babri Masjid demolition alienated Muslims, Subhash said if this would have been the case, Congress wouldn't have governed India from 2004-14. Subhash said Congress leaders always sing praises of Nehru-Gandhi family. "At least now, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and the entire coterie of Gandhi family and Congress should apologize to the nation for the injustice done to Rao," Subhash added.
