Author: PNS
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: May 31, 2011
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/342407/Cong-distances-itself-from-comments-on-Indira-in-book.html
Deeply embarrassed that a book published by
the Congress to mark its 125 anniversary has criticised former Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi for imposing Emergency terming it an 'ugly', a "monumental
mistake" and 'nightmare', the party on Monday distanced itself by saying
that the views were not of the Congress, but of independent authors. In the
fifth volume of Congress history independent authors have analysed the political
events between 1964 to 1984 charging the then Prime Minister with "having
emasculated the Congress party" and also flayed her son Sanjay Gandhi
and his 'coterie' for exercising "extra-constitutional authority."
The book takes a dig at the 'sycophancy' of Congress leaders that crossed
all boundaries of decency. It has described Emergency as a "sordid chapter"
and a 'nightmare.'
Questioned about the content of the party
publication, Congress spokesman Manish Tewari took refuge in the argument
that it was not the party's official history book as two disclaimers have
clarified that views expressed are those of individual writers not of Congress.
The decision was taken that political commentators who had analysed the developments
in that period should contribute in the form of articles in the book, which
is yet to be released., he said. "If at all there are some author who
has come to a conclusion, under no circumstances these should be purported
to be the conclusions of the Congress party. We do not subscribe to the views,"
Tewari said.
A senior Congress leader on condition of anonymity
even said that it indicated the internal democracy within the Congress as
the official book has criticism against party leaders. Significantly, Finance
Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is the Chief Editor of the book has said in
the preface that the Congress desired the volume to be edited and contributed
by experts in order to generate an "objective and scholarly perspective
for the period under review" and "not necessarily have a party perspective".
Meanwhile, taking dig at the Congress for distancing itself from the contents
of a book, BJP asked the ruling party to "introspect a lot on the matter."
BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman alleged that the "mindset which prevailed
during the Emergency", "dominated by arrogance" had led to
the defeat of the Congress after the Emergency. The BJP maintained that this
attitude of arrogance was still prevalent in the Congress and could be seen
in its working.
