Sonia Gandhi’s memoir offers personal recollections and notable omissions

Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, was released on Tuesday and quickly sparked discussion across social media and television. The book concentrates largely on her life before entering politics, with only brief coverage of events after the 2004 Lok Sabha victory.

The memoir mentions Amitabh Bachchan three times and omits his wife Jaya entirely, noting a fallout with the Gandhis after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. It does, however, recall the hospitality of the Bachchan family when Gandhi first arrived in India in 1968, including personal anecdotes such as Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s advice and a gift of a puppy.

Key political opponents receive little attention. Lal Krishna Advani and Amit Shah are not referenced, while former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is described with a tone of regret for a harsh parliamentary criticism and concern during the 2001 Parliament attack. In contrast, her interactions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi are portrayed as formal and distant, noting limited contact and a perception of his coarse language in Parliament.

The memoir acknowledges the Emergency’s excesses and cites Indira Gandhi’s fears about potential retaliation, while also attributing significant decision-making influence to Sanjay Gandhi and suggesting Maneka Gandhi’s involvement was unsettling to Indira. It presents Rajiv Gandhi as a moderating voice during that period.

Regarding the Babri Masjid demolition, Gandhi frames her late husband’s approach as seeking a negotiated solution, without assigning direct responsibility for the eventual demolition.

The book briefly addresses her rise to Congress leadership in 1998, describing a respectful meeting with Sitaram Kesri after his resignation.

An excerpt recounts a 2004 internal discussion where Gandhi initially appeared to decline the prime ministerial role before being persuaded by senior leaders, leading to Manmohan Singh’s appointment.

Gandhi draws parallels between herself and Indira Gandhi, highlighting shared anxieties about parliamentary duties. She also expresses admiration for women politicians across party lines, including Mamata Banerjee and Mayawati, and offers sympathy to spouses of jailed chief ministers encountered during the 2024 election campaign.