In her memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love," Sonia Gandhi details the emotional pressure surrounding the government formation in 2004. During a high-stakes gathering at 10, Janpath, alliance leaders physically surrounded her, prompting an accidental, muttered concession of "theek hai" under duress. This brief capitulation caused immediate panic for her daughter Priyanka, who tearfully alerted Rahul Gandhi to intervene. Facing the acute distress of her children, Gandhi reversed course and delivered a categorical refusal to lead the country.
Key points
Gandhi initially gave a faint verbal agreement after being completely overpowered by the…: Gandhi initially gave a faint verbal agreement after being completely overpowered by the demands of alliance politicians.
The memory of past political violence within the family served as the primary deterrent a…: The memory of past political violence within the family served as the primary deterrent against accepting the premiership.
A final, firm rejection was issued only after confronting the intense alarm and distress…: A final, firm rejection was issued only after confronting the intense alarm and distress of her two children.
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New Delhi: In taking arguably one of 21st century India's most consequential decisions, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi went from completely rejecting the idea of taking up prime ministership to a feeble "theek hai" when alliance colleagues pressed her to take the job only to finally say a firm, categorical no.
Her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra felt she should not become prime minister as they had lived through the trauma of their grandmother Indira Gandhi's assassination and the brutal murder of their father Rajiv Gandhi.
Also read: Great damage done to India's fabric under Modi government, people now recognising it: Sonia Gandhi
However, it was not a straightforward decision, Sonia Gandhi writes in her memoir "Belonging: A Journey of Love" that hit the stands on Tuesday. It's the first time that details of her inner turmoil behind the decision to turn down the prime minister's post in 2004 have been revealed.
She recounts that she was internally conflicted over the issue with one part of her rejecting the idea completely, and…
The strategic realignment in March 2004 initiated Rahul Gandhi's official entry into electoral contests, beginning with the Amethi constituency. To accommodate her son's political debut, Sonia Gandhi relocated her own candidacy to the neighbouring Rae Bareli seat. This transition occurred smoothly as she chose not to oppose his decision to join frontline politics.
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