Convicted Minister Sukhram to tell all in book | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
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Convicted Minister Sukhram to tell all in book

PTI | By, Shimla
May 31, 2009 11:59 AM IST

Former Union minister Sukhram, who was convicted by a special CBI court in a corruption case, plans to pen his memoirs to "expose" those who implicated him in the case.

Former Union minister Sukhram, who was convicted by a special CBI court in a corruption case, plans to pen his memoirs to "expose" those who implicated him in the case.

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The octogenarian, who has announced his retirement from active politics, told PTI from his house in Mandi here that in the memoirs he would "expose" those within Congress who got him implicated in the disproportionate assets (DA) case, which he claims was aimed at finishing his political career.

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"I will start writing the book once I am free from the court cases in Delhi and expose those who conspired against me," Sukhram, who was communication minister in the P V Narasimha Rao government, said.

The 82-year-old politician, credited with ushering a telecom revolution in the country, said he will pen the "good and bad" experiences in his 45 years of political journey that started in 1962 and added that the book will be completed "within my lifetime".

Sukhram announced retirement from active politics in favour of his son Anil Sharma, who is Congress MLA from his pocket borough Mandi Sadar, on the eve of 2007 Himachal Pradesh assembly election.

He won the Lok Sabha polls from Mandi seat thrice and lost once. He also served as an MLA seven times from the Mandi Sadar seat.

Sukhram said that his book will highlight his experience of working with Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao and most recently with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Prior to his becoming communication minister in the Narasimha Rao-ministry, Sukhram was MoS for defence in Rajiv Gandhi-government in 1985.

Sukhram had created a flutter in the political circle by accusing some Congressmen of being "jealous" of his popularity and "conspiring" to get him implicated in the DA case and said he will "expose" them in his forthcoming book.

Over a decade ago, the CBI raided his residence in Delhi and Mandi and seized over Rs four crore.

In February this year, he was convicted by a special CBI court in the case for which he spent less than a month in jail. Sukhram has filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court.

After being expelled by the Congress, Sukhram formed Himachal Vikas Congress and won five assembly seats in 1998. He helped incumbent Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal form a BJP-HVC coalition government in the hill state in 1998.

Sukhram later merged his party with Congress during 2003 assembly polls. Considered a rival of Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh, Sukhram with the help of Narasimha Rao made an unsuccessful attempt to pip him to the CM's post in 1993.

Welcoming the induction of Virbhadra Singh in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's cabinet, Sukhram said it will provide an opportunity for people to compare their work for the state with that of his.

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