Indira Gandhi could be vengeful, even petty. Rajiv Gandhi wasn't really a leader, just a boy scout. Sanjay Gandhi had a conscience, was a man of action. Manmohan Singh is the best Prime Minister India ever had. And men like Varun Gandhi are dangerous for the very unity of the country - in his latest book Khushwant Singh writes with plenty of malice, but not towards one and all.
The 95-year-old writer sharply criticises former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He writes, "She was dictatorial and, like her father, indulged in favouritism. She overlooked corruption and undermined democratic institutions. She manipulated and gagged the press. And she wanted dynastic succession. Power went to her head. This is why her public image changed from goddess to vindictive despot...She could be vengeful, extremely critical and even petty." The book titled 'Absolute Khushwant' is written in association with journalist Humra Quraishi.
India's grand old man of letters was a supporter of the Emergency. Many regard the period (1975-77) as a blot on India's democratic register. But he maintains, "I have been criticized for supporting Sanjay and his mother and the Emergency she'd imposed. I don't deny that I supported them and I have no regrets."
Full report here Times of India
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