Did Sonia also not want Pranab Mukherjee to become president?

Pranabda with Indira Gandhi (Courtesy: Hindustan Times)

Narendra Modi has smartly put his hand on paining spot of Congress. He said yesterday in Kolkata rally that it was Gandhi family which didn't make Pranab Mukherjee prime minister, not only once but twice. He elaborated when Indira Gandhi, then prime minister was murdered in 1984, Pranab Mukherjee was not only senior person but also experienced and very deserving person to become prime minister. But he was not made PM. Not only that, Rajiv Gandhi even didn't inducted him in his cabinet.
In 2004, Sonia Gandhi was set to become PM as leader of biggest party but there was much opposition so she gave up and later it was publicized as her sacrifice. At that time too, Pranab Mukherjee was senior most leader in Congress. But instead of him, Sonia chose Mr. 'Yes, Madam' Manmohan Singh. Narendra Modi's raising of issue has significance, because Modi has been often blamed for sidetracking his mentor 'Guru' L.K.Advani (which is not true as Advani got two time chance to lead BJP in general elections and failed.). Modi said this in West Bengal.
Modi forgot to add in his point one thing and that is Pranab Mukherjee was also not first choice of Sonia Gandhi for president candidate.
Actually, for presidency, Pranab Mukherjee was highly willing and his name was almost unanimous within all parties, but Sonia Gandhi wanted then vice president Hamid Ansari to become president. But, at that time, it is said that Pranab Mukherjee played smart games through Mamata Banerjee and Mulayam Singh. As it is known, Mamata and Mulayam together supported A.P.J.Abdul Kalam for president post. And BJP, JDU and other opposition parties were ready to support Kalam. So, Kalam could have won easily against Ansari.
Now, it was obvious that Sonia would not prefer Kalam to become president, because in 2004, it is rumoured that Kalam didn't prefer Sonia to become prime minister. However, it was denied lately, but one thing was sure. Kalam would not behave like stamp president. Instead of him, Sonia might have thought that, Pranabda could be better choice. In this circumstances, Congress decided to field Pranabda and all know well that, after Pranabda's name was announced Mulayam took U turn and backtracked on supporting Kalam. Mamata was left alone. But it seemed to be part of Pranabda's strategy. Thus, Pranab Mukherjee became President and for sake of competence, BJP fielded P.A.Sangma to be defeated. 

Journey of news

I completed two years successfully as News Editor in Gujarat Samachar on this 16th August. It was like dream came true as working in newspaper which I have been reading since teenage. It was 16th august when I joined Gujarat Samachar. Though I had short experience as incharge of front page in Saurastra Samachar it was really big responsibility given by Shree Sreyansh Shah as looking after front page and other national-international news pages of Numero Uno newspaper. From day one my test begun and test paper was hard as Anna Hazare movement was beginning on that day.
Two years were full of events such as -withdrawing support by Trinamool congress, Ramdev’s agitation in Ramlila maidan, sensational exposures by Kejriwal, president election of Bharat/USA, bomb blasts in Delhi/hyderabad, voting on FDI, Gujarat/UP/Himachal/Karnataka election, scams such as coal gate/telecom/railway bribery/alleged army revolt after Makar Sankranti, conflict between army head V K Singh and defence minister A K Antony, Mumbai blasts 1993 case order by supreme court, execution of death penalty to Kasab/Afzal Guru, China incursion, Pakistan army aggression, autonomy of CBI (famous observation of supreme court- caged parrot), conflict between supreme and parliament on disqualification of convicted legislators, fight between Gujarat govt and governor on appointment of lokayukta, emergence of Narendra Modi/Rahul Gandhi as superior leader in BJP/Congress, fall of indian rupee, Europe economic crisis (Greece,  Cyprus, Britain), Higgs Boson particle confirmation, Rover Mars mission, disasters such as Sandy in US, Uttarakhand floods, earthquake in Sikkim…and so on.
Witnessed demises of Steve Jobs, Dev Anand (I got byline for article on Dev which is rare in Gujarat Samachar) , Yash Chopra, Rajesh Khanna, Jagjit Singh, Dara Singh, Pt. Ravishankar, Pran.
It was most momerable movement for me when I got pet on back by Shree Sreyansh Shah for special pages sp. for Higgs Boson page and Pran.
I feel very much happy when Gujarat Samachar exclusively made lead story of Pranav Mukherjee declaring as president candidate (even when Congress was thinking over Hamid Ansari) and decision of announcement of Telangana as separate state.
There were ofcourse underestimates by me. At first instance,  I could not imagine Kingfisher airlines crisis and Uttarakhand flood would blow out of proportion.
Journey of great learning and  satisfaction is still on. Very much happy for contributing like squirrel in Gujarat Samachar’s success.