New Delhi, November 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, on Tuesday hit back at Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi over her account of a 2010 conversation in which the veteran Congress leader allegedly hinted at his long-held ambition to become Prime Minister.
In her memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, Sonia Gandhi recalled that Pranab Mukherjee had surprised her by suggesting that perhaps the time had come for a “change at the top”. She interpreted the remark as an indirect indication of his desire to occupy the country’s top political office.
Responding on X, Sharmistha questioned why her father’s ambition should have shocked Sonia Gandhi. “What’s there to get ‘shocked’ about? Is it a crime to be ambitious, especially when that ‘ambition’ was supported by decades of experience in politics and governance, hard work and a brilliant mind?” she asked.
She recalled that her father had once told her that “any politician worth his salt has this ambition” when she asked whether he wanted to become Prime Minister.
Emphasising his humble background, Sharmistha said: “Whatever he achieved in his life was through sheer merit and hard work. There was no one to serve him positions, including PM-ship, on a platter due to dynastic entitlements.”
She further questioned whether Sonia Gandhi was surprised that someone outside the Nehru family could aspire to the top post and express that ambition to her.
Sharmistha also responded to Sonia Gandhi’s observation that she felt Pranab Mukherjee never held the matter against her. Referring to her father’s diaries and conversations with him, she said he did not hold it against Sonia Gandhi or anyone else.
Describing him as a “pragmatic person with deep understanding”, she added that he understood Sonia Gandhi’s reasons and insecurities, which all human beings are prone to.
In her memoir, Sonia Gandhi said she and Mukherjee regularly met as members of the Strategy Group, which discussed important parliamentary matters. She recalled that he would sometimes stay back after meetings for informal conversations.
According to her account, Mukherjee had developed serious differences with then Finance Minister P. Chidambaram. During one such conversation in 2010, after expressing his frustration, he suggested that perhaps a change at the top was needed, which she understood as a hint of his desire to become Prime Minister.
FOLLOW NOW
