Sonia Gandhi Discusses Her Memoir and Political Landscape in Recent Interview

Sonia Gandhi has opened up about her memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love,' emphasizing the importance of sharing her own narrative after years of others telling her story. She noted that while she initially found it overwhelming to read the numerous books about her, she felt compelled to write her own account after more than a decade of reflection.

Describing her memoir as a personal journey intertwined with politics, Gandhi highlighted the profound love story between her and Rajiv Gandhi, which ultimately drew her into public life and politics. She expressed that her values from her upbringing in Italy, such as loyalty and sincerity, have remained intact throughout her life in India.

Reflecting on the political landscape, Gandhi criticized the current government, stating that significant damage has been inflicted on the fabric of Indian democracy and institutions. She asserted that the Congress Party has consistently differentiated itself from the RSS and BJP on fundamental issues of secularism and democracy, despite some internal disagreements on how to approach these topics.

Gandhi also addressed her decision not to accept the Prime Ministership in 2004, attributing it to the concerns of her children and her own sense of purpose within the party. She expressed that compromises in politics are sometimes necessary, but emphasized that the Congress has never compromised its values in relation to the BJP and RSS.

Looking ahead, Gandhi expressed optimism about the Congress Party's resilience and prospects, despite acknowledging the challenges posed by the current political environment. She believes that the party is making progress and that the public is becoming increasingly aware of the issues at stake.

Regarding the publication of her memoir, Gandhi confirmed a change in publishers shortly before its release, but refrained from commenting on the specifics of the disagreements that led to this decision.