"Absolutely Not" To "Theek Hai" To Firm "No": Sonia Gandhi On PM Post Tussle
Sonia Gandhi reveals in her memoir that she initially refused the Prime Minister post in 2004 despite pressure from alliance partners. Her decision was heavily influenced by her children, Rahul and Priyanka, who feared for her safety due to the family's history of political assassinations.
Why it matters
This account sheds light on the internal family dynamics and personal security concerns that shaped a pivotal moment in Indian political history.
Sonia Gandhi had told her children months before the 2004 Lok Sabha election that she would "absolutely not" become prime minister. Yet, confronted by alliance leaders who refused to accept her decision after the Congress-led coalition's victory, she briefly surrendered with a barely audible "theek hai".Hours later, after an angry intervention by her son Rahul Gandhi and a private struggle over duty, danger and belonging, she returned to her original position. She would not take the job.Sonia Gandhi has described for the first time the turmoil behind one of India's most consequential political decisions in her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, released today.Her memoir shows she refused the possibility of heading the top post after a lot of thought and that she had taken a very complicated decision.
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