Sonia Gandhi memoir recalls political fears and changing family relationships

Sonia Gandhi's memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, describes how the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi shaped her family's fears about political leadership. The account is presented as her recollection, not an independently settled history of every decision.

She recounts opposing Rajiv's move to become prime minister after Indira was killed in 1984 because she feared for his life. The book also describes the personal costs of remaining in public life.

Sonia says Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi opposed her becoming prime minister after the Congress-led alliance's 2004 election success, fearing another family tragedy. She subsequently proposed Manmohan Singh for the job.

Further detail

The memoir also gives Sonia Gandhi's account of her relationship with Maneka Gandhi. She recalls an initially close relationship that later changed amid family disagreements and differing political expectations after Sanjay Gandhi's death.

Her explanation of Maneka's departure from the family home is one participant's recollection. The current report does not contain a response from Maneka or her family, so this should not be treated as a version accepted by every person involved.

The 526-page book, Belonging: A Journey of Love, was released on November 10. It includes accounts of family relationships as well as memories of political decisions.