Sharmistha Mukherjee, the daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, said that her father was dropped from the cabinet because former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had some 'trust deficit' over him rising as a challenge to his authority.
Mukherjee also cited the notes of her father where he stated that Rajiv Gandhi considered him a "tough nut" who wouldn't "tow anybody's line blindly".
She made the remarks at the book launch event of her book titled 'Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers' based on the life of her father.
Speaking to ANI, Mukherjee said, "What Rajiv Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi felt about my father, that only they will be able to say. But as per my father's own analysis perhaps there was a degree of trust deficit and that was the reason he wrote in his notes that "Rajiv probably felt I am a tough nut who will not tow anybody's line blindly"."
"So, perhaps he felt that this was the reason he was dropped from the cabinet. Later on, Sonia Gandhi also might have felt that one day he might have challenged their authority," he added.
Mukherjee cited several colleagues of her father who also opined that Pranab Mukherjee could have emerged as a 'challenger' to the authority of Rajiv Gandhi.
"This was also said by one of the very senior cabinet colleagues of Baba (Pranab Mukherjee) both in Indira ji, Rajiv ji's times...they felt that one day he could emerge as a challenge to Rajiv Gandhi's authorities...and that's why he was dropped out of the cabinet," she further stated.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Revanth Reddy Unveils Rajiv Gandhi's Statue, Dares KCR's Party To Touch It "Rajiv Gandhi Dubbed Those Who Got Reservation As Fools": PM Slams Congress Rahul More Intellectual, Strategist Compared To Rajiv Gandhi: Sam Pitroda Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest TIME Magazine Shares Elon Musk's To-Do List, He Responds This Asian City Is Emerging As Sex Tourism Hub. It's Not Where You Think "Speculative, Inaccurate": Canada Factchecks Own Media Over India Charges Want To Read Voice Notes? WhatsApp Brings To You Voice Message Transcripts UK-Based Indian Woman Says HR Asked Her About Marriage Plans, Sparks Debate Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.