Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s husband was close to former PM P.V. Narasimha Rao, while her father-in-law was a multi-term minister in Andhra Pradesh.
New Delhi: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman last week took on Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying she didn’t have a “khaandaan” (dynasty) to boast of.
While participating in the debate on Rafale in Parliament, Sitharaman referred to the humble background of Prime Minister Narendra Modi too.
“PM comes from a poor background. He has come here through hard work. I have my honour intact. The PM has his honour intact. We have all come from normal backgrounds,” she said.
However, soon after she made the comments, social media was buzzing with comments about her own family, or “khaandaan”.
The defence minister’s own father was a railways employee, but her in-laws are a political family in their own right.
“Her husband belongs to a political family though he didn’t have a successful stint. Her in-laws have been politically connected too. The family was closely connected to former PM Narasimha Rao too,” said a person who knows the family well.
In-laws
Sitharaman’s husband Parakala Prabhakar was with the Congress, and unsuccessfully contested assembly elections from Andhra Pradesh’s Narsapur on a Congress ticket, first in 1994 and then in 1996 (by-election).
Despite this, he “went on to develop close ties with former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao”, said a Times of India article.
Prabhakar later joined the BJP and contested the 1998 Lok Sabha elections from Narsapur, but lost again.
When cine star Chiranjeevi launched his Praja Rajyam Party in 2008, Prabhakar joined it, only to leave it soon after. He then joined as communications advisor to the Chandrababu Naidu government, with a cabinet rank. However, he resigned from the post in June last year after TDP broke away from the NDA, after questions were raised on his “integrity”, since his wife is a BJP minister.
Sitharaman’s father-in-law Parakala Seshavatharam, was a successful politician, and served as a minister several times in Congress governments in Andhra Pradesh. Mother-in-law Parakala Kalikamba was also a Congress MLA.
Also read: Nirmala Sitharaman’s answers do not explain Modi govt’s refusal to disclose Rafale details
Scathing attack
The defence minister had launched a scathing attack on the Congress president accusing the Gandhi “khaandaan” of “insulting” her and Prime Minister Narendra Modi because they come from a humble background.
“Having called the prime minister chor, have you ever apologised? I may come from an ordinary background. The prime minister may come from an ordinary background. But who gave you the right to call him that?” she had asked.
She also recalled Gandhi’s hug to Modi during the last Parliament session, followed by a wink. “It’s not only the prerogative of the khaandaan to protect itself. We have our honour intact… From hugging the PM and going back winking, is it not insulting the prime minister?” she asked.
“You shouted me down. You called me ‘jhoothi’ (liar),” she added.
Also read: Nirmala Sitharaman’s ‘modernisation’ drive must go beyond buying big weapons systems
This age belongs to lairs. And Ms. Sitharaman is one such.
She did not become defence minister because of dynasty but on her own abilty
The Print seems to be politically aligned. Your views are not unbiased. Media should do neutral analysis. But your agenda seems to be anti BJP only.
WHATA A COMPARISON?
YOU ARE MISSERABLY FAILED AS WE TOO ARE HAVING GREY MATTER?
OMG!!!!
The extent to which these Pressitudes can go to glorify the family. Kudos to the imagination. Wish these so-called journos showed the same Josh in bringing out issues concerning common man. It’s a pity media houses are more interested in glorification of the family. If the family works for good of the common man votes will come to them. But if nepotism and corruption is what they want to represent then will disappear soon. No amount of media management will save them!!!!
Not a line on her educational qualifications and work experience prior to becoming a minister. I suppose that this is what “secular and liberal” journalism is all about. The article seems to imply that she got into her present position in BJP because of the influence of her in laws, who where in Congress. Strange!
The family never respected Shri Narsimha Rao. After his death, proper respect was not given by khandan. They always think that conress and India both are their parental property.
all congressmen joined bjp automatically become angel and scot free from all allegation.
we are vocal honest so need not any lokpal or discloser about expenditure of public fund
Invalid comparison. She is not responsible for the political background of her in laws. She earned this status in BJP by working for it…Can you add the paternal background to this piece to give an unbiased viewpoint?
Either u r mad or congress agent…..chamcha of pappu who has no quality….we proudly said we r bhakt of PM Modi who has grt quality…..
Definitely.
Is it not true that she comes from politically connected family?
What is a big fat lie, is that she comes from a non political family.
Do she not have a khandan?
Was she raised in an orphanage?
Its Narsapuram, not Narapur
Rahul’s dynasty is not comparable to Nirmala’s in-laws. What a comparison. She did not become Minister by birth. She earned it.