Congress, BJP squabble over revelations of Kalam's book

New Delhi -  Congress Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday took potshots at each other over former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's latest book in which he dismissed speculations of being reluctant to appoint Sonia Gandhi as the Prime Minister in 2004.

Congress leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi today said the statements of Dr. Kalam in his book clearly hinted towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who were not in favour of Sonia Gandhi becoming the Prime Minister.

"As per his (Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's) words, we can clearly make out that he indicated towards the leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party, who never wanted to see Sonia Gandhi as the Prime Minister of the country and he hinted that these people had come to pressurize him that if the Congress Party or the UPA wishes to make Sonia Gandhi as the Prime Minister, then Abdul Kalam should not accept it," said Chaturvedi.

Chaturvedi further said that Sonia Gandhi did not accept the top post despite having the constitutional right of becoming the Prime Minister.

The BJP, however, reacted to the news saying the information is nothing new and Sonia Gandhi still enjoys 'power without accountability'.

"With such remarks, Sonia Gandhi does not gain the image of mother India, even today she is playing the role of super Prime Minister and she holds power without accountability. Therefore, it would be shocking, if the Congress Party calls it a big sacrifice," said BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

Dr. Kalam states in his soon-to-be-released book named Turning Points, A Journey Through Challenges, in the chapter titled Controversial Decisions that if Gandhi wanted to become PM in 2004, that he would have had 'no option but to appoint her'.

He discloses that his office had readied a letter inviting Ms. Gandhi to form the government as Prime Minister but that she surprised him by nominating Manmohan Singh in her place.