Who Earns Respect in Congress, and Who Faces Insult?

Regional parties are often labeled as family-run organizations, but the Congress, despite being a national party, operates similarly. Over time, the party's leadership has centered around the Nehru family, later the Indira Gandhi family, then Rajiv Gandhi’s lineage, and now Sonia Gandhi’s family.

Even when a party president outside the Gandhi family is appointed, the family's influence dominates. Those who align with their vision stay secure in their positions, but independent action often leads to trouble and humiliation.

Manmohan Singh and the Shadow of Gandhi Leadership

The late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh owes his reputation as a brilliant economist to PV Narasimha Rao, who appointed him as Finance Minister during India’s economic crisis. Together, they revitalized the country's economy and laid a strong foundation for growth.

Manmohan Singh became Prime Minister under Sonia Gandhi’s influence and served as a loyal figurehead. While officially Prime Minister, many believe Sonia wielded real power behind the scenes. This loyalty ensured his ten-year tenure.

Contrasting Respect for Manmohan and Humiliation of Narasimha Rao

After Manmohan Singh’s demise, Congress immediately called for a memorial in his honor, a proposal the central government supported. However, the same party treated PV Narasimha Rao with disrespect after his death, primarily because he acted independently during his tenure as Prime Minister.

Journalist Vinay Sitapati detailed this mistreatment in his book Half Lion. Similarly, Pranab Mukherjee, a former President, faced humiliation by the Congress, as noted by his daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee. She expressed outrage over how the party ignored her father’s contributions, pointing out that Congress didn’t even hold a condolence meeting after his death.

Sharmistha recalled that Congress organized a condolence meeting when former President KR Narayanan passed away, with Pranab himself drafting the tribute. Yet, the party refrained from honoring him similarly, possibly because he didn’t conform to the leadership’s expectations.

A Pattern of Disregard for Independent Leaders

This history reveals a troubling pattern: Congress rarely respects leaders who assert independence. PV Narasimha Rao, Pranab Mukherjee, and others who did not fully align with the Gandhi family’s influence were sidelined or dishonored. While the party pushes for Manmohan Singh’s memorial, these past actions highlight a selective approach to honoring its stalwarts.