Sharmistha Mukherjee Slams Congress: ‘Real Rot’ Exposed Over Pranab’s Legacy Neglect

Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of the late former President Pranab Mukherjee, has sharply criticized the Congress party, alleging that it is in a "sad state of affairs" and lacks the ideological commitment it once upheld. Speaking to PTI, she highlighted the disconnect between grassroots workers and the party's top leadership, calling for serious introspection within the organization.

No CWC Meeting for Pranab Mukherjee’s Demise

Sharmistha Mukherjee pointed out that the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision-making body, did not convene a condolence meeting after her father's passing in August 2020. She expressed disappointment over this breach of tradition, questioning whether it stemmed from deliberate neglect or institutional lapses.

“When Baba passed away, Congress didn’t even bother to call a CWC meeting for condolences,” she remarked in a post on X (formerly Twitter). She further stated that her father’s diaries revealed a precedent — a condolence meeting had been convened when former President K.R. Narayanan passed away, with Pranab Mukherjee himself drafting the message.

Concerns About Institutional Memory

Sharmistha criticized the party’s leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, for a perceived lack of institutional memory and awareness of Congress's historical practices. “If there is this loss of institutional memory, that itself is a serious and sad state of affairs within the Congress,” she said.

Trolling by Congress Social Media

Sharmistha also alleged relentless trolling from Congress-affiliated social media handles over her critiques. She called this behavior indicative of deeper issues within the party. “The kind of language used against me and my father shows there is a real rot in the Congress. Rather than trolling, the party should focus on serious introspection,” she asserted.

Demand for Manmohan Singh’s Memorial and Bharat Ratna

While Sharmistha Mukherjee no longer aligns with Congress, she voiced support for the demand to establish a memorial for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. She called Singh the architect of India's economic reforms and emphasized that he deserves the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.

“Dr. Singh’s contribution to India’s growth story is unparalleled. A memorial in his honor is absolutely justified,” she added.

Contrast with CWC’s Recent Meeting

Interestingly, her comments come after the CWC held a special session on Friday to pay homage to Manmohan Singh. The resolution praised Singh for his compassion, honesty, and dedication to public service, hailing him as a true statesman.

Final Thoughts

Sharmistha Mukherjee’s remarks underscore a growing discontent with the Congress's functioning, even from its former loyalists. Her statements add to the chorus of voices urging the party to address internal challenges and revive its foundational values.