Sonia Gandhi Reflects on Political Choices and Personal Journey in New Memoir

Ganpat Singh Chouhan November 9, 2026, 11:59 pm 3 min read

New Delhi, November 9: Congress Parliamentary Party President Sonia Gandhi has revealed in her memoir, “Belonging: A Journey of Love,” that her decision to decline the Prime Minister position in 2004 was influenced by her son Rahul and daughter Priyanka, who also did not want her to take on the role. This choice is considered one of the most talked-about decisions of her political career. The book is set to be released on November 10.

In an interview with an English newspaper regarding the memoir, Sonia discussed not only her decision but also her relationship with Rajiv Gandhi, the Emergency period, the future of Congress, and the current political landscape in India. She expressed that her views on India differ significantly from those of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sonia also voiced her concerns about the damage done to India’s democracy and institutions over the past twelve years.

Reflecting on her personal journey, she stated, “Sixty years after meeting Rajiv, I am still the same person, just not laughing as much as before.”

Surprised by the Number of Books Written About Her

When informed that at least 75 books have been written about her life, Sonia expressed surprise at the sheer number. She admitted that she never had the desire to read these books. Long ago, she and Rajiv decided that keeping up with what was being written about them was not beneficial. Eventually, she felt it was time to share her own story.

A Decade in the Making

Regarding the time taken to write the book, Sonia mentioned that it has been so long that she can hardly recall when she began. She started writing over a decade ago but only began to take it seriously about five years ago. She noted that the process was not continuous; sometimes words flowed easily, while at other times, writing a single line became a struggle, leading to moments of frustration.

A Love Story and Public Life

When asked if her love story with Rajiv Gandhi felt cinematic, Sonia agreed, explaining that this was why she hesitated to discuss it for so long. She emphasized that their relationship is not just a love story but also a narrative of how she fell in love with Rajiv’s family and the country, gradually becoming a part of both.

According to Sonia, this love motivated her to enter public life. She felt compelled to act when she realized that the sacrifices made by her family members were at risk and that the party was weakening.

Declining the Prime Minister Role

After the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-led UPA formed a government with the external support of leftist parties. While coalition partners wanted Sonia to become Prime Minister, the BJP raised issues regarding her foreign origin. On May 18, 2004, Sonia declined the position, and on May 22, Manmohan Singh took office. Sonia recently joined Instagram on October 22 and X on October 24, stating that others have told her story for decades, and now it is her turn. The book is being published in India by HarperCollins India.

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Ganpat Singh Chouhan: My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.