Interviewtimes 
Excerpts from the memo of former President and eminent politician Pranab Mukherjee have been circulated again. In his remarks, the President described the experience of the demonetisation process in the country in November 2016.
“I am convinced that this could not have been done in the previous consultation, because there was a real need for a sudden and unexpected announcement,” Pranab wrote of the delisting. “Otherwise the whole process would have failed”.
“So I was not at all surprised that this had not been discussed with me before the public announcement. Modi’s dramatic announcement was also in line with his personality. However, after addressing the nation, Modi came to the Presidential Palace and explained the significance of such a move. As the country’s former finance minister, he wanted clear support from me on the issue”.
“It’s an adventure,” Pranab said. I, however, warned that such a move would lead the country to a permanent economic downturn. Pranab told the Prime Minister that extreme care must be taken to ensure that the poor are not affected.
Pranab also mentioned in his memo about Modi’s foreign policy. Given the situation in India-Pakistan relations, Modi had no reason to focus on Lahore. Modi did not bring in any foreign policy. This is the most unexpected aspect of his personality, ”Pranab said.
Modi made a surprise landing in Lahore in December 2015 to congratulate the former Pakistan Prime minister Nawaj Sarif on his birthday. In 2018, China met with the President at an annual informal conference. This was reflected in 2019 in Malapuram, Tamil Nadu.
Pranab noted that his tenure as president was “very cordial” with the prime minister. In the 2014 general election, Modi and his party won a clear majority. However, the prime minister and his party failed to play a key role in the smooth running of parliament. While the ruling party has shown arrogance, the opposition has also failed to properly carry out its responsibilities to bring the regime to the forefront, the then president noted.
“However, Modi has not been the prime minister as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee or Manmohan Singh. Whose presence was clearly visible in Parliament”. In his book, Pranab hopes that Modi will be a responsible leader in the coming years and use the parliament as a forum.
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