NEW DELHI: Former Giani Zail Singh remarked that despite pressure from Congressmen and the Opposition, he did not dismiss erstwhile Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. “I had no intention of dismissing him,” he said.
A media interview, the Giani remarked! “there were a lot of corruption charges against Rajiv Gandhi. 1 could have dismissed him on those grounds alone,” he revealed, “Also, there was no concrete proof of the corruption,”
But Rajiv Gandhi then had a majority in Parliament. Wouldn’t it have been patently illegal for him to dismiss Rajiy Gandhi? “Haye you read the Constitution? The President is within his rights to dismiss the Prime Minister in order to preserve and protect the Constitution, “Counter argued Zail Singh.
‘The occupant of 4, Circular Road in South Delhi is ailing but his mind remains as sharp as ever. Not leaving anything to chance, Giani Zail Singh has entrusted sensitive chapters of his autobiography to his close friend living in South India. “I have given instructions that they should be published after my death.”
As of now, Giani Zail Singh is Sure that his autobiography would contain even minute details, albeit important Ones, of his tenure a5 President. Taking an indirect dig at Venkolaraman’s autobiography, Zail Singh said “Unlike some other autobiographies, my autobiography will not contain details about my meeting different heads of State for 10 minutes or so. What is new about a President meeting his counterparts elsewhere on a@ routine basis? That’s his job! My autobiography would contain important details which could be used as a reference book by the people of this country.”
But for now, Giant Zail Singh is averse to talking about his forthcoming work. While refusing to g0 into details about the revelations made by Venkataraman in My Presidential Years, Giani Zail Singh chose to remain mum on the identity of the senior Congressman who played an active role in 4 bids to topple Rajiv Gandhi’s Government.
“Look, some of those who were supposedly involved (in the scheme) are still my friends, Yes, they are also a part of the present government, and why shouldn’t’ they be?”
Explaining how he had been maligned by the media and a section of Congressmen, Gianiji said” his book would put the record straight.
Pointing to the plaster peeling off the walls of his house, he said. in an injured tone that he had the” ‘opportunity to make “crores” when he was the President but chose not to, yes, it’s true that I was offered crores of rupees, But I have not made a single paisa dishonesty. Even the house I live in belongs to the Government. I don’t have any property in the country, whatever property I have in Punjab come to me in inheritance.”
If he had no intention of dismissing Rajiv Gandhi, why did he entertain those involved in the scheme to topple the Rajiv Gandhi Government? Wasn’t he angling for a second term?
In an astounding revelation, Zail Singh said with a straight face that he “was never interested in a second term as President”!
Article extracted from this publication >> September 30, 1994
