In a scathing attack on the Congress party, Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, has accused the party of being in a “sad state of affairs” and called for serious introspection following her father’s death in August 2020. She expressed her disappointment over the party’s failure to convene a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting to condole his passing, a gesture she described as a basic convention for a party of Congress’s stature.
Sharmistha Mukherjee, in an interview with PTI, lamented the lack of leadership and ideology within the Congress, claiming that party workers feel alienated from the top leadership. “The Congress has to answer for this,” she said, referencing the absence of a CWC meeting after her father’s death. She further questioned whether the omission was a result of “deliberate negligence” or a loss of institutional memory within the party.
She shared an anecdote, revealing that she was told by a senior Congress leader that it was not customary to hold a CWC meeting for the death of a former president. However, Mukherjee refuted this, citing her father’s own diaries, which stated that a similar meeting was held after the death of former President K R Narayanan, with condolence messages drafted by Pranab Mukherjee himself.
Adding to her criticism, Sharmistha Mukherjee pointed out the social media trolling she has faced from Congress’ online handles over the years, particularly for raising issues within the party. She described the language used against her and her father as indicative of the “real rot” in Congress. “The Congress, rather than unleashing trolls on social media, should do serious introspection,” she said, lamenting how the party, once a firm believer of Congress’s ideology, now feels increasingly alienated.
Mukherjee’s comments came shortly after the Congress CWC convened a special meeting to pay respects to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, in recognition of his contributions to India’s growth and reforms. She also expressed her support for a memorial for Singh, emphasizing his pivotal role in shaping India’s economic reforms. She called for the award of the Bharat Ratna to Dr. Singh, stating that his legacy thoroughly deserved such an honor.
Mukherjee’s remarks further underscore the deepening rift between the Mukherjee family and the Congress party, which has seen significant leadership changes in recent years. The criticism also highlights growing concerns about the party’s direction and its relationship with former stalwart leaders.
As Congress continues to navigate its internal challenges, Sharmistha Mukherjee’s statements point to a broader need for reflection within the party on its values, leadership, and treatment of former leaders.
Sources By Agencies
