Varun Gandhi commends Indira Gandhi's leadership in 1971 war; 'True leader doesn't take sole credit'

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi has publicly praised his grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, for her leadership during the 1971 war with Pakistan.

In a social media post, Varun Gandhi shared a letter written by Indira Gandhi to the then Indian Army chief General Sam Manekshaw, expressing admiration for her acknowledgment of the entire team's efforts in the victory. Varun Gandhi emphasized that a "true leader" recognizes the collective contribution of the team and refrains from claiming "sole credit."

The letter, dated December 22, 1971, showcased Indira Gandhi's recognition of the armed forces and General Manekshaw for their role in the war. In the letter, she acknowledged the burden and pressures on General Manekshaw as Chief of the Army Staff and Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

She praised his leadership and the coordination between the three services during the campaign. General Manekshaw, known as 'Sam Bahadur,' played a pivotal role in India's victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Varun Gandhi's acknowledgment reflects a cross-party recognition of historical leadership.