M.L. Fotedar

MAKHAN LAL FOTEDAR (M. L. Fotedar) was born in a middle-class Kashmiri Brahmin family in Mattan, Anantnag, and was initiated into politics by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the 1950s.He served as Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s political secretary from 1980 to 1984 and was one of her closest confidants. He was also one of the two signatories to her will and advised her on various matters of political and national importance, as she had immense faith in his exceptional ability to understand statecraft.

He played a major role in ensuring that Rajiv Gandhi succeeded his mother after her assassination. He served as Rajiv’s political secretary for about three years before joining his Cabinet. He was also primarily responsible for getting Sonia Gandhi into active politics and later installing her as Congress president. He is a permanent invitee to the meetings of the Congress Working Committee, and is a member of the party’s Central Election Committee. He occasionally advises the party leadership whenever his counsel is sought. He has three sons and two daughters and lives with his family in Gurgaon.

Praise for books by M. L. FOTEDAR:

“In this book the author revinds to his associations with Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. He puts his liking of Priyanka over Rahul on record and also his displeasure with the working of Sonia Gandhi” – Amazon Reader

“An excellent book by M. L. fotedar. He has displayed a rare knack of advising the top leader of the day but at last felt disillusioned with the set up. People change with time he recommend ed chief ministers, governors and presidents hats off to such a brilliant observer of men and matters.” – Amazon Reader

“Well written. Reinforces point of view that Gandhi family is about themselves. Would have loved broader view of situation back then but writing is objective.” – Amazon Reader