From 1986 onwards, Rajiv Gandhi’s relations with President Giani Zail Singh deteriorated by the week. A stage was reached when public accusations were made by one against the other. The President’s grievance was that the PM did not see him every week (as was the custom), nor did he care to brief him on important matters facing the country. Battle lines were drawn. Zail Singh said he would dismiss Rajiv who, in turn, threatened to impeach the President. The crisis only ended when Zail Singh’s five-year term ended in 1987.
