The Turbulent Years 1980 - 1996

by Pranab Mukherjee

A sharp insider’s account of the many political and economic decisions that shaped the future of modern India. The Turbulent Years opens in the 1980s. Sanjay Gandhi is dead under unexpected, tragic circumstances; not many years later, Indira Gandhi is assassinated; Rajiv Gandhi, ‘the reluctant politician’, abruptly becomes India’s Prime Minister. Pranab Mukherjee was witness to (and, sometimes, a participant in) the momentous events of the 1980s and the 1990s, a period that was indisputably the most turbulent in India’s post- Independence history. An insider, he sheds new light on every major political occurrence of the time from Rajiv Gandhi’s ascendance as India’s Prime Minister to the emergence of P.V. Narasimha Rao as a leader of the nation; from Operation Blue Star to the Babri Masjid fiasco. Equally, Mukherjee is candid about each of the professional crises that marked this period of his career the rumours that he wanted to elbow aside Rajiv Gandhi for the top post; the possible reasons for his ouster from Rajiv’s Cabinet and, later, the party; and the allegation that he aided and abetted the Left by not imposing President’s rule in West Bengal and Tripura in the late 1980s. The second volume of Mukherjee’s autobiography is not only an honest account of his years in power (and in the wilderness), but also a cogent analysis of the political and social turning points of a key period in the evolution of modern India.

Features:
• Candidly written, this book is an insightful peek into the political as well as personal lives of some of the most celebrated leaders of India, like Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao
• Presents a revealing picture of how a democracy functions, covering one of the most controversial periods between 1980 and 1996
• Gives a blow-by-blow account of Mukherjee’s return to Delhi from Contai alongside Rajiv Gandhi on 31 October 1984, the day Indira Gandhi was assassinated
• Openly talks about the incidents leading to Mukherjee's expulsion from the Congress party, and the years of struggle that followed as well as his failed attempt at starting a political party
• Narrates in great detail the infamous tussle between Swraj Paul and DCM/Escorts
• Chronicles the shocking demolition of the Babri Masjid and presents Mukherjee's candid views on whether the Narasimha Rao government could have done anything differently to prevent it.
• The most-awaited second volume of Pranab Mukherjee's memoirs, after the bestselling The Dramatic Decade

Genres: Politics, India, History, Biography

243 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2016

About the author

Pranab Mukherjee is an Indian politician who was the 13th President of India. A man of unparalleled experience in governance, he has the rare distinction of having served at different times as Foreign, Defence, Commerce and Finance Minister. He was elected to the Upper House of the Parliament (Rajya Sabha) five times from 1969 and twice to the Lower House of the Parliament (Lok Sabha) from 2004. He was a member of the Congress Working Committee, the highest policy making body of the Party for a period of 23 years. A powerful orator and scholar, Shri Mukherjee’s intellectual and political prowess as well as remarkable knowledge of international relations, financial affairs and parliamentary process are widely admired. He has been acclaimed for his role as a consensus builder on difficult national issues through his ability to forge unity amongst the diverse political parties that form part of India’s vibrant multi-party democracy.

Reviews

[Anil Swarup · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has been used primarily as a medium for clarifying author's point of view and explanation of what and why he did what he did. He is candid and frank without being vituperative. Despite his differences with persons like Rajiv Gandhi, he showers praises on him. He lauds Rajiv as a "charismatic leader and full of new ideas". His erudition comes through quite eloquently. Quoting from Gurudev, he salutes even his adversaries :"In our suspicious minds, we disbelieve you; In our jealousy, we abused you; and In our anger, we killed you; Now, the mortal being has become immortal and we salute you".
Pranab Mukherjee admits his mistakes :"I could have avoided the RSC fiasco. I should have had the wisdom to realise that I was not a mass leader". He even concedes his shortcomings: "I do not know how to use computers". This are indeed signs of his greatness.
All in all an interesting read that reveals a lot about those "turbulent" times and the persona of Pranab Mukherjee

[Anindita (bookkad_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book, an insider’s view to the complexities of the Government during the years of 1980-1996 gives us an insight into the various hurdles faced and overcome. The book opens with the tragic death of Sanjay Gandhi and the subsequent rule of his mother Indira Gandhi following the years of the infamous emergency. He especially harps on the different cabinets the Government saw, from the shaky coalition of the Rajiv Gandhi regime to the firm one by P.V. Narasimha Rao. The book also sheds light on his turbulent years, when he was ousted from the Congress leading him to form a separate party only for it to fail a few years later. Pranab Mukherjee’s tryst with the Congress family was for a long time and it is his unique decisions that ultimately led to few success stories of the Congress during that time. Furthermore, his rule as the Foreign minister yielded golden fruits as India became a signatory to the WTO post the Uruguay round of Negotiations in 1995. The years post liberalisation of the economy are also a proof the India was not one to step back in the global economic sector.
The book gives us an insight to the difficult times faced by the Government out of which India rose as a shining democracy, mature and unscathed. The words are lucid and flow freely, making it an easy read.
I’d definitely recommend this to any political enthusiasts.

[Rishabh Anand · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great book by Former President of India: Shri Pranab Mukherjee. Through this book, Pranab Mukherjee greatly explains his professional turmoils as well as the national turbulence prevalent in 1980's and 1990's.The author is very candid on his opinion on Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narsimha Rao and also explains their contribution as well as their reason of failure.

[Minesh Mehta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely explained

Nicely explained the history from 1980_ 1996, some of and buts at a critical point of discussion would have changed the present state or conditions of India! Should be taught in the school this as history instead of Mughal and Morys history

[Palwai]

Finished reading #TheTurbulentYears by #PranabMukherjee.
Book is too concise and detail-less to know more about the most crucial phase of independent India.
Probably these were the years when "Pranab da" was least important in politics, only to emerge into the mammoth he became.

[Sambasivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the first volume. More transparent and explosive with certainly hitherto not known revelations.

[Kailas Ramachandran · Rating 3 out of 5]

It probably has more of the Ex Prez's turbulence.Gives an insight view into the Capital's Politics !!

[Akshay Gahlaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a clarification than a memoir

[Amil]

An average book

[Sanjay Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book recounts the political events during the period 1980-1996 from the perspective of the author and his own role as a politician and minister during the period.

[Srijan Raj · Rating 4 out of 5]

A star more for the instances in the book where the author accepted the flaws honestly.

[nmansur · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good and honest presentation

Pranab DA has lot of insight into party and decision made in those turbulent years he has safely. Chosen not to talk about the controversial part, of course it his decision but I would have liked him to show real courage I. Talking some of the truth about policy or politics of those years. I see Pranab DA as honest and trouble shooter of congress party but he has never shown the courage to give it back to some of those irresponsible leaders perhaps that's coz Pranab da never got h self elected to Loksabha

[Kaustubh Kirti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Content wise the book is good. Much of the story lines, people already know however what is new is the behind the door discussions. Stories of how Pranab split his party away from Congress and how he was considered a threat of Rajiv Gandhi which eventually led to his ouster from the party. Buildup is good. Infact the best parts of the backroom drama are probably the negotiations and the time of Pranab Mukherjee at Planning Commission. His changing of the special status formula for receiving special grants might go down in history.

However the book at places become boring. It should just be considered a read. The writing lacks depth even if you compare with some other memoirs. Considering he has described the Sikh Riots of 1984, Assam Accord, Ascent of Rajiv Gandhi , the era of turbulence - VP Singh & Chandrashekhar, Mandal Commison, Voting age, Rao government, WTO , GLobalisation..The content was great but the writing could not make much use of the depth of the topics and the book ended up being journal entries.

[Adwait Bhonde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice account of the things that took place in the political scenario between 1980-1996. The book gives you an insight of the turbulent times the author, too, went through - From almost being nominated as interim Prime Minister to being suspended from the party and gaining a spot back into the cabinet.

It is always nice to read such memoirs which gives you the first hand information about the Indian polity and its working. Gives you a lot of inspiration as to how these legends handle difficult and sentimental situations. Must read for a person who is interested in politics - to know the Indian political history.

I feel there are certain things which, though are not completely unimportant, yet have no relevance today or are of use to the reader, viz, the decisions taken by the planning commission, etc.

[Durgaprasad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pranab Mukherjee was one person who should have been the Prime Minister of the nation. However party politics kept him away from the chair. This book captures the turbulent years, especially after the death of Indira Gandhi. This is the second part of the three part series written by the former President of India.