Sonia, Narasimha Rao had strained relations: Union minister K V Thomas

"Around 9 P.M. P.V. Walked in, he did not sit down. The normally imperturbable P.V. Appeared flummoxed and agitated: 'I have just received her letter to me?' I said I have not seen it. The two were apparently having an epistolary war regarding the trial of Rajiv Gandhi's assassins."

Singh says what Rao said next was so unexpected that he was dumbfounded. "I cannot take her on. I could. I don't want to. What does she expect me to do?" the prime minister had said.

A junior minister in Rao's cabinet with whom he developed differences later, Singh suggested he meet Sonia Gandhi.

"How often do I see her? It is a question of my self -respect. Her attitude is affecting my health. How many times do I have to be insulted."

Singh told Rao that he had never discussed Rao with Gandhi but he got the impression that she felt the question of trial of her husband's assassination was not proceeding fast enough.

He recalls that Rao told him of all the steps taken by the government including making P Chidambaram incharge of the assassination probe subject. "If she thinks my leaving will improve the matter, I am willing to go."