But that very evening, the prime minister took it to President R. Venkataraman, a mentor to Chidambaram. ‘He sent me this letter, and held a press conference before,’ Rao told the President. ‘Did he take your permission before the press conference?’ Venkataraman asked. ‘No,’ replied Rao. ‘Then accept the resignation.’30 Chidambaram was shocked. Even twenty-five years later, both Manmohan Singh and Montek Singh Ahluwalia are puzzled as to why Rao rid himself of a reformer.
