(Harish Khare is a senior journalist, commentator and a research scholar)The autobiography of former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh has not yet been formally released. But this distinguished public man who once was an intimate confidante of the Nehru-Gandhi family and is now an embittered friend has made a significant - and troublesome - revelation: that it was Rahul Gandhi's implacable opposition that made Sonia Gandhi decline the post of Prime Minister of India after the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
(Rahul Asked Sonia Not to be PM, Claims Ex-Congressman Natwar Singh)According to Natwar Singh's recollection, in various interviews in the run-up to the release of his book
One Life Is Not Enough, Rahul was fearful that if his mother were to accept the post of the prime minister, as she could easily and legitimately do, then she too would be killed, just like his father (Rajiv Gandhi) and grandmother (Indira Gandhi). These were very understandable and very personal apprehensions, and probably no one outside the immediate family could experience or share the consuming intensity of Rahul's fears.
(Also Read: 'Will Write My Own Book': Sonia Gandhi Responds to Natwar Singh's Comments)
Indeed, in introspect, it can be said that those two violent deaths have left their obvious and lasting scars on young Rahul. Let it be recalled in his speech at the AICC session at Jaipur in January 2013, Rahul had in fact candidly referred to his grandmother's assassination by the very guards who were assigned to protect her, and how that violent denouement had made him lose his "balance."
And, again, during the course of the 2014 Lok Sabha campaign, he not only allowed himself to refer to the gruesome deaths of his grandmother and father, but went a step further to voice his apprehension that "they" could kill him too.
Memories do constitute an important part in what we as individuals do or do not do. In the public sphere, some memories - like those of the Nazis' murderous atrocities - are deliberately kept alive and even memorialized; but, some societies find it helpful to move beyond some memories by seeking reconciliation, rather than recrimination.
Rahul Gandhi is entitled to feel that those very forces, passions and impulses that motivated killers of his family members remain unsatiated and unforgiving. It is entirely understandable that he was fearful for his mother's life; and, it will not be decent for anyone to deride him if he entertains similar fears for himself.
Yet if this fear remains a live and potent consideration, then it follows that he himself would not be inclined to accept the post of the prime minister of India. Instead, he would want to continue the "Sonia-Manmohan Singh" type arrangement. This, perhaps, explains his troublesome reluctance to take up any leadership role in the Lok Sabha.
In a certain sense, Natwar Singh's revelation helps us understand better - and, perhaps, with a dash of sympathy - the "reluctant heir-apparent" syndrome. On the other hand, the uncharitable voices may choose to take Natwar Singh's revelation to its logical conclusion and declare Rahul Gandhi to be a timid, and, therefore, essentially unfit person to lead a great country.
After Natwar Singh's revelations, the Congress Party will find itself in a veritable quandary. The 2004-2014 arrangement cannot be replicated. Perhaps, unwittingly, Natwar Singh has set the stage for the Congress to decide what, if any, terms of leadership are to be offered to Rahul Gandhi.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.