Indira Gandhi foresaw Priyanka and not Sonia as her political heir: Fotedar

Fotedar revealed Indira’s last days to an English daily, a Congress veteran who was political advisor to Indira. People will see me in her and remember me when they see her. She will shine and the next century will be hers.

The talk of “bring Priyanka” has began at a time when Rahul loyalists in the party have become impatient to get positions in the organisation merely on the basis of younger age than their capacity to deliver.

“I was bowled over by the way by which she opened up”. According to CWC sources, Mr Fotedar has been pleading for a bigger role for Priyanka in the party. The author also said that Indira somehow had a premonition of her death. I have also told Soniaji about Indiraji’s desire to see Priyanka as a leader. I do see a lot of similarity between Indira and Priyanka. I really feel Priyanka has the identical aggression that Indiraji had as a pacesetter. “Then, in a considerate temper, she stated Priyanka may be minimize out for politics… that she may be profitable and be in energy for a very long time”, Fotedar claimed. “As Indiraji said, the next century belongs to Priyanka”, Fotedar was quoted as saying.

Fotedar, a senior member of the Congress Working Committee, also recalls in his account of Congress history that while former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had reacted happily when told of Indira’s desires about Priyanka, Sonia Gandhi has not taken kindly to what the messenger had to say.

“Perhaps, Sonia Gandhi did not agree with Indira’s suggestion”. Fotedar seems to support former minister Natwar Singh’s claim that family pressure was the reason for Sonia declining the PM’s post in 2004. During the visit, she reflected on the inner voice within her, which said her days of life are outnumbered, claims Fotedar. “That night, I wrote down every word she said that day about Priyanka” and “Priyanka might be cut out for politics… that she might be successful and be in power for a long time”, Fotedar further said.

But as per the revelations by Indira Gandhi’s close aid ML Fotedar in his yet to be published book “Chinar Leaves”, Priyanka’s political entry was foreseen by Indira Gandhi during her final days in Kashmir in October, 1984.