Mukherjee releases Yashwant Sinha's autobiography

Former President Pranab Mukherjee Monday released the autobiography of Yashwant Sinha and agreed with his observation that economy is "the last priority" of a politician in India.

Quoting from the 'Relentless', penned by Sinha who served as Finance minister in Prime Chandra Shekhar government (19901991), Mukherjee said that he could have become the first reformist Finance Minister of the country.

The Chandra Shekhar government supported from outside by Congress was formed in November 1990 and collapsed in June next year after the grand old party withdrew its support to it.

"The dictum which he (Sinha) said is absolutely correct that for a politician economy is the last priority in India," Mukherjee said reading paras from the book.

Referring to the developments surrounding the Chandra Shekhar government, Mukherjee said "Yashwant Sinha could have become the first reformist Finance Minister of the country but he was prevented from presenting a budget that could have changed the economic landscape of the country."
Sinha extensively detailed in his book about how he realised consequences of not presenting a regular budget but was told "saving the government was more important than the economy."