As Pranab Mukherjee readies for RSS event, daughter Sharmistha disapproves
Sharmistha Mukherjee, former president Pranab Mukherjee's daughter and a Congress leader, took to Twitter on Wednesday to express her discontent over the latter attending an RSS event in Nagpur today. She accused BJP of indulging in dirty politics and said her father's speech will be forgotten, but visuals will remain and 'will be circulated with fake statements.' Here are more details.
What led to Sharmistha's tweets? Here's the answer
Sharmistha's angry tweets surfaced amid rumors that she might join BJP. On this, Sharmistha, who unsuccessfully contested Delhi Assembly elections in 2015, said she would rather quit politics than join the saffron party. "Can't there be some peace & sanity in this world? I joined politics because I believe in Congress," wrote Sharmistha on the micro-blogging website, rubbishing the rumors.
In another tweet, Sharmistha tells father his decision is wrong
On the other hand, BJP leader says this shows intolerance
Reacting to Sharmistha's tweets, where she came down heavily on RSS, BJP General Secretary P Muralidhar said it only displayed her intolerance. Muralidhar's tweet, which came hours after Sharmistha's, read, "People who are opposing Pranab Mukherjee's visit to RSS program are in fact representing the ideology of intolerance. In no way, it is going to help the democratic dialogue in the country."
Congress divided over Mukherjee's decision to speak at RSS event
The 82-year-old Congress veteran's decision to attend the event has prompted mixed reactions from his party. CK Jaffer Sharief wrote to Mukherjee, asking him to reconsider his decision. "He can't ignore his background. He didn't take anyone into confidence," Sharief said. But Abhishek Manu Singhvi supported him, saying, "Judge (Mukherjee) by what he says and his established beliefs in 50-years of political life."
The ball in Mukherjee's court: What will he say
Considering the ongoing controversy, all eyes are set on what Mukherjee will say at the event. Responding to the developments, he had earlier said, "I'll say whatever I have to in Nagpur. I have received several letters, requests and phone calls but I have not responded to any of them." The former president will address the RSS' Tritiya Varsh Varg at its headquarters today.
