Former Deputy Chairman of the Federal Council Najma Heptullah Describes an hour-long wait for an international call from Berlin to inform the then President of the Reichstag Sonia Gandhi When she was elected president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in 1999, she was told that “the lady is very busy”.
Heptula wrote in her autobiography pursuit of democracy: Cutting across party lines, she informed the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee immediately after her election and he was delighted with the news. “When he heard the news, he was happy — first, because this honor had come to India, and second, because this honor had come to an Indian Muslim woman. He said, ‘You are back, we will celebrate.
However, she strives to share this milestone Sonia Gandhi was frustrated. “When I called congress Mr. President, her staff responded, “Ma’am is busy.” Even though I explained it was an international call, I was told, “Please wait.” I waited a full hour, but Sonia never Call and talk to me,” she wrote.
“I pointed out that I was calling from Berlin and it was an international call. The staff just said: ‘Please wait a moment.’ “I waited for a full hour, but Sonia never came online to talk to me. with Heptula wrote.
Expressing her disappointment, she said: “After the phone call, I told her nothing. I had sought her permission before nominating me as IPU president and at that time, she gave her blessing.
Reflecting on the event, she added: “If every country, culture and family has its special moments – events so important and personal that they transcend the normal flow of everyday life – it was a revelation to me It was one of those moments. But it left a feeling of rejection in my heart forever.
Heptula claimed the incident marked a turning point Congress Party. She claimed that “a group of inexperienced sycophants” had begun handling party affairs, demoralizing older party members.
She reportedly had differences with Sonia Gandhi and eventually left the Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2004. Alliance related travel grants.
Heptulla also criticized the Congress party’s communication style under Sonia Gandhi, in contrast to Indira Gandhi’s approachability. “Indira Gandhi used to hold open houses. She was easily accessible to ordinary members,” she wrote. In her view, junior staff under Sonia Gandhi limited party access, hindered party communication and contributed to the party’s decline. She also pointed out Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi He was not actively involved in politics at the time.
