Sonia Gandhi Shares Untold Stories From Her Political Journey

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has revealed details of the political developments surrounding the formation of the UPA government in 2004 in her autobiography, Belonging: A Journey of Love, released on Tuesday. She recalled initially refusing the offer to become Prime Minister but later agreeing under pressure from alliance partners. However, she subsequently reconsidered and firmly decided against taking the position. She also revealed that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were opposed to her becoming Prime Minister, fearing for her safety in the aftermath of the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. The book discusses several major political developments, including Narendra Modi, the RSS, the Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement, the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and her relationship with former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. Sonia said she had no personal hostility towards Modi but differed with him ideologically on the country's future.

The autobiography also offers insights into Sonia Gandhi's personal life and family experiences. She revealed that she had faced two cancer-related health challenges, undergoing surgery for breast cancer and later for a pancreatic tumour. She also recalled that she has never seen photographs of Rajiv Gandhi's body following his assassination, as Rahul and Priyanka shielded her from the disturbing images. Describing the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as a shameful chapter in India's history, she also praised P.V. Narasimha Rao as an accomplished statesman and dismissed reports of serious differences between them. Her account further touches upon the 2002 Gujarat riots, Pranab Mukherjee's reported ambition to become Prime Minister, family developments involving Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi, and other significant moments in India's political history.