"The Turbulent Years : 1980 to 1996"

Few days ago I have completed reading the book "The Turbulent Years : 1980 to 1996" an autobiography written by our President of India Pranab Mukherjee. This book deals with major issues that confronted him during his tenure as senior Cabinet Minister. Mukherjee, touched upon many contemporary socio-political and economic issues including that of RajivGandhi's Shah Bano Judgement and demolition of Babri Masjid and the crisis of Balance of Payments. Rajiv's decision to bring in legislation to nullify the court verdict in Shah Bano case drew criticism and eroded his modern image" Further in his view " opening of Ramjanmabhoomi site on 1/2/86 was perhaps another error of judgement. He had clearly mentioned that people felt that these actions could have been avoided. In this book, the author was clear that if Rajiv Ghandhi had not taken these initiatives there could never had been such a political buildup leading to demolition of the structure. Over the last two decades, the Congress party with the connivance of obliging sections of media, and academics tried to coverup Rajiv's key role in Ayodhya controversy and put the blame entirely on PV. As a Congress veteran, the president has sought to put the record straight. Ofcourse, in the book, he acknowledged that Rao's inability to prevent the demolition was his biggest mistake, but he doesn't blame Rao for not imposing President Rule in UP on the assumption that the State Govt wouldn't live up to its word. Mukhe

rjee, says, " there are many who blame PV for the destruction of the mosque. I was not in the cabinet at that time and therefore not part of the decision making regarding Babri Masjid issue. However Govt of India was confronted with a Hobson's choice. It didn't have many options. The Central Govt couldn't dismiss an elected state Govt simply because it was apprehensive that latter might not fulfil its obligations to maintain the safety of the Babri Masjid. People argue in hindsight that central Govt should have dismissed the state Govt under art 356 .But this is wisdom in hindsight. How could President's rule be approved by Parliament? The Congress didn't have majority in the Rajyasabha ""
Mukherjee also tried to clear the air on PV perpetrated by Congress in the last two decades -- that is to deny the credit for spectacular economic turn around that he achieved during 1991- 1996. Moreover he has full praise for PV in this book on many counts. Infact before reading this book, I was under the impression that both Mukherjee and Narasimha Rao would not see eye to eye, on many issues, but with this all such apprehensions / assumptions are proved wrong beyond doubt.
Mukherjee says, " these reforms put the country on high growth trajectory and helped towards achieving our true economic potential." " He further says thar Rao with great foresight chose Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister and gave Singh full freedom to navigate the financial crisis and introduce far reaching changes that have made India the economic powerhouse it is today.
The other major spectacular achievement of PV was the manner in which he addressed the militancy problem in Punjab. He says Rao completed full five year term because of his " political deftness." All those who believe that PV one of the India's greatest Prime Ministers, has been denied his rightful place in Indian Parlance, must be grateful to the President for making it very clear on many subjects of intricate nature that the nation was confronted with.
It is certainly an interesting book to read. After this now I have stated reading another book title  'India from Curzon to Nehru and After" by Durga Das.