Opinion | PV Narsimha Rao, Sonia Gandhi & PM Modi: A Political Irony

The memory of Narasimha Rao will always glow bright in the hearts of Ram Bhakts, whose cause he served with a pure spirit

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured PV Narasimha Rao with Bharat Ratna posthumously in 2024; while then Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, had refused permission to open the gates of her party headquarters for Rao’s mortal remains 20 years earlier.

It is no secret that then Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi had, from a particular time onwards, begun to despise PV Narasimha Rao during his Prime Ministerial tenure, and she carried that feeling of revulsion even after his death.

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It was an extreme situation when Rao’s body was kept waiting outside 24, Akbar Road, for half an hour. It was made clear that the gates of his parent party will not be opened at all. Rao’s body was not to be brought inside the AICC for paying any respects. His family was persuaded to take his body to Hyderabad for cremation.

Unless you are in the know of what happened behind-the-scenes, it is impossible to figure out these unprecedented developments. Why, and when, did Sonia Gandhi suddenly start detesting the Congress veteran whom she had herself handpicked to become India’s Prime Minister?

Rao had not contested the 1991 Lok Sabha election. He had retired from active politics. Owing to health reasons, he had decided to return to his home in Andhra Pradesh.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on the 21st of May, 1991. In the election phase after his death, Congress saw its Lok Sabha tally jump and reach a total of 244 seats, just 28 less than majority.

Sonia Gandhi needed someone pliable and loyal to head the minority government. Rao seemed to be the ideal choice. He was physically so weak that he needed to sleep for three hours every afternoon. As the head of the minority government, he could never be expected to turn into a rebel.

1.Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured PV Narasimha Rao with the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 2024.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured PV Narasimha Rao with the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 2024.

2.Sonia Gandhi refused permission to open the gates of the Congress headquarters for Rao's mortal remains in December 2004.

Sonia Gandhi refused permission to open the gates of the Congress headquarters for Rao's mortal remains in December 2004.

3.Narasimha Rao was sworn in as India's Prime Minister on June 21, 1991.

Narasimha Rao was sworn in as India's Prime Minister on June 21, 1991.

4.The demolition of the Babri structure took place on December 6, 1992, during Rao's tenure.

The demolition of the Babri structure took place on December 6, 1992, during Rao's tenure.

5.Rao survived a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on July 28, 1993.

Rao survived a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on July 28, 1993.

With Sonia’s blessings, Rao was sworn in as the Prime Minister on the 21st of June, 1991 – eight days before his 70th birthday.

With Sonia Gandhi’s persuasion, Gangula Prathapa Reddy resigned from his Lok Sabha seat,........

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