Team News Riveting
Oscar Fernandes passed away today but his role in getting Sonia Gandhi elected as the leader of Congress Parliamentary Party in 2004 would be remembered in the party circle.
Even after Congress emerging as the single largest party in the 2004 general elections, Sonia—under whose leadership Congress contested the elections—refused to become the Prime Minister. After placating the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) allies and bringing them around to the new political reality, senior Congress leaders led by M L Fotedar started preparation for the crucial Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting.
Fotedar in his autobiography The Chinar Leaves said they were working on what should be done in the event of Sonia Gandhi firmly standing by her decision of not leading the government despite immense pressure brought to bear by the newly elected Congress members? That was the most important decision to be taken, he added.
“I called Oscar Fernandes to my house at 7 Balwant Rai Mehta Lane and told him that as far as I knew Soniaji, she was not going to change her mind. Now what should be done?”
Oscar Fernandes said, “Fotedar ji, in that case the CPP will elect a new leader.” Fotedar said, “No, CPP should pass a resolution electing Sonia Gandhi as its leader and authorize her to decide on the name of the Prime Minister.” It was in this meeting with Oscar Fernandes, the decision was taken and the CPP passed the resolution accordingly that powered Sonia to name the Prime Minister and have indirect control over the government.
