'Why Couldn't He Wait?': Pranab Mukherjee's Daughter Slams Rahul Gandhi's Trip After Manmohan’s Death

Last Updated:January 08, 2025, 18:20 IST

Sharmistha Mukherjee's comment comes a week after the BJP accused Congress of insensitivity over Gandhi's trip, triggering a political debate

The BJP accused Gandhi of ‘prioritising’ his New Year holiday over India’s 'architect of economic reforms' late Manmohan Singh, as many reports claimed that the Congress MP had flown abroad to ring in the New Year. (PTI Image file)

Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, criticised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his decision to travel to Vietnam shortly after the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

At a time when the nation was mourning Singh’s death, Mukherjee questioned Gandhi’s decision to leave the country for a New Year’s trip, suggesting that he could have postponed his travel given the circumstances.

“As an ordinary, concerned citizen of the country, I would definitely like to question Rahul Gandhi on why, when the nation was mourning the death of a Prime Minister, who was a stalwart of his own party, did he have to take off for a foreign trip to celebrate New Year’s? Why couldn’t you wait? The sky wouldn’t have fallen," she told India Today in an interview.

Mukherjee’s comment comes a week after the BJP accused Congress of insensitivity over Gandhi’s trip, triggering a political debate.

She further expressed disappointment that no Congress leaders attended the rituals after Singh’s death. She noted that, according to news reports, no party members were present when Singh’s ashes were collected.

News politics 'Why Couldn't He Wait?': Pranab Mukherjee's Daughter Slams Rahul Gandhi's Trip After Manmohan’s Death