Pranab Mukherjee's daughter, Sharmistha, to contest 2014 polls?

Pranab Mukherjee has a long and illustrious career as a politician and stepped out of it to become President. His son and political heir, Abhijeet Mukherjee, has at best managed to garner headlines but only for the wrong reasons so far, whether for his famous ‘dented and painted women’ comment or meeting jailed RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. However, Mukherjee’s daughter, whom we have only heard defending her brother so far and is better known as a accomplished Kathak dancer, may be getting ready to step into the political arena. According to a Times of India report, 47-year-old Sharmistha Mukherjee is still to decide whether she wants to contest from a Lok Sabha seat in Bengal which the state unit of the Congress would be more than pleased to offer. The report notes: Speaking to the media recently during a public function, Sharmishtha had for the first time reacted to questions about her political plans in a manner where she did not rule out the possibility of joining politics.  [caption id=“attachment_1195559” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sharmistha Mukherjee during a performance. Official site[/caption] Since her brother is already the MP from her father’s original constituency of Jangipur it is likely she will have to find another seat to contest for. The danseuse has stayed away from politics so far saying in a Telegraph article that it wasn’t always an advantage to be the daughter of one of the most prominent Congress leaders in the country. “It (the family name) becomes a hindrance more than an advantage at times, but fair enough. Each profession has its hazards,” she was quoted as saying. Sharmistha has been helping her father in Rashtrapati Bhavan, even playing hostess at times since he took over as President due to her mother’s ill health. However, she has been firm in denying that she is either the official hostess or it indicated an entrance into politics. A Business Standard profile of her documents how Mukherjee might have liked to see his daughter as his political heir but Sharmistha brushed it aside saying that her father was far more reasonable than she was. Whether the danseuse will step into the rough world of politics remains to be seen, but her gift for being able to hold her tongue may serve her well if she does.