Pranab: Meeting Ramdev at airport in 2011 was a mistake
The release of the third volume of former president Pranab Mukherjee's autobiography "The Coalition Years: 1996 to 2012" has raked up issues about UPA days. In this context, Mukherjee told IE that meeting Baba Ramdev, in June 2011, at Delhi airport to persuade him against taking up a fast was a "misjudgement" on his part and he "should not have done it." Know more!
Despite Mukherjee's efforts at pacifying him, Ramdev began fast
In 2011, UPA was facing Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption protests. Amidst this, Baba Ramdev also decided to hold a fast at Ramlila Maidan asking them to bring back the black money stashed abroad. Then-FM Mukherjee and HRD minister Kapil Sibal met Ramdev at Delhi airport to deter him from undertaking a fast by discussing issues raised by him. But, talks failed and his fast began.
Midnight drama at Ramlila Maidan
Ramdev's fast continued till midnight when amid high drama, security forces broke in on the Ramlila protest and used tear gas and physical force to disperse the crowd. They sent Ramdev back to Haridwar where he sat on a hunger strike. This episode, among many other things, was a pivotal point that turned public opinion against the UPA and damaged its electoral performance.
What is Mukherjee's take on the situation now?
Mukherjee said the meeting was for "political reasons." Since UPA was already facing "embarrassment" due to Anna's fast, they wanted to "nip" Ramdev's fast "in the bud." He said he was in "contact with some people." That person advised Mukherjee to meet Ramdev and that "he will listen." Mukherjee took Sibal for translation purposes but admitted "it was my misjudgement… sometimes we make mistakes."
Mukherjee talks about people's role in India's constitutional democracy
Regarding people's role in a constitutional democracy, he asserted that people's 'alertness and vigilance are most important'. Sometimes people are not satisfied by just electing legislators and they may want to participate in the legislation process. This, he said, was the crux of Anna's movement. This signifies "a sign of awareness of the people's consciousness" and a mechanism is required to deal with it.
Mukherjee also explains his equation with PM Modi
Mukherjee refused to disclose the equation he shared with PM Modi, but said "It is not that we did not have any differences. We had, but we knew how to keep the differences within ourselves, and I do hope I will keep it within ourselves."
Mukherjee skipped questions about Congress and his political re-entry
When asked about his advice for Congress, he said he gave up his role as a "congress activist" when he became President. However, he asserted that Congress needs to keep its connection with the people alive to survive, though "electoral reverses" may occur. About whether he would return to active politics, Mukherjee said "That is not possible and that is also not desirable."
Meanwhile, other issues have come up because of autobiography
Meanwhile, the autobiography raised other issues. At the release, then-PM Manmohan Singh noted that Mukherjee was better qualified to become PM and "had every reason to feel a grievance." Further, the book reveals that NCP chief Sharad Pawar might've felt "alienated" after being overlooked for Congress president post and for not being consulted on important matters, which led him to form his own party.
