In her autobiography, “Belonging: A Journey of Love,” Sonia Gandhi has made a significant revelation about her decision to decline the Prime Ministership in 2004She explained that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi did not want her to become Prime Minister because they had already suffered the pain of the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
Published: November 10, 2026, 11:28 AM IST
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Why did Sonia Gandhi change her mind before becoming PM? Congress former president reveals the story of Manmohan Singh being PM pick (Pic: X)
In her autobiography, “Belonging: A Journey of Love,” Sonia Gandhi has made a significant revelation about her decision to decline the Prime Ministership in 2004She explained that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi did not want her to become Prime Minister because they had already suffered the pain of the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
Sonia Gandhi News: After winning the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-led coalition decided to make Sonia Gandhi the Prime Minister, but she refused to accept the postNow, in her autobiography, “Belonging: A Journey of Love,” Sonia Gandhi has revealed the full story behind that decisionShe revealed that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi did not want their mother to become Prime MinisterUnder pressure from coalition leaders, she even momentarily said “okay,” but after an overnight introspection, she changed her mind.
Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi initially rejected the idea of becoming Prime Minister when she was facing one of India’s most crucial decisions of the 21st centuryUnder persistent pressure from coalition partners, she softly said “okay,” but ultimately firmly refused to take the positionSonia’s son, Rahul Gandhi, and daughter, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, believed she should not become Prime Minister, having already suffered the trauma of their grandmother Indira Gandhi’s assassination and her father, Rajiv Gandhi.
My mind suddenly cleared itself of the last shreds of doubt“Sonia, be true to yourself,” I could hear myself say“You’ve always known itJust leave it!”
From Belonging – on the decision not to become Prime Minister.
https://t.co/tEIYnDE07U
— Sonia Gandhi (@SoniaGandhi) November 10, 2026
Big revelation in Sonia Gandhi’s book
However, Sonia Gandhi writes in her autobiography, “Belonging: A Journey of Love,” that this decision was not easy for herThe book, released today, November 10, reveals for the first time in detail the conflict that raged within her mind after her decision to turn down the prime ministership in 2004.
She explained that she was internally conflicted on the issueOn the one hand, her conscience completely rejected the idea, while on the other, she felt a sense of responsibility to party workers, who would be hurt and disappointed by her refusal.
Sonia Gandhi told the story of that time
Sonia Gandhi, recalling a conversation before the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, wrote, “A few months before the elections, I discussed with my children the possibility that I might become Prime MinisterOne of them asked me directly if I would accept the post if our party won the electionI said, almost angrily, ‘Absolutely not!’ He then asked, ‘Are you sure?’ I insisted, ‘I am absolutely clear about this.’” Both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi did not want their mother to become Prime Minister.
She wrote, “He had suffered the trauma of his grandmother’s murder and the brutal killing of his fatherIn his mind, assuming the post of Prime Minister was directly linked to the growing threatHe was relieved to hear my response, and I felt a sense of relief after speaking openly about this issue for the first timeAfter that, the matter ended thereI never spoke about it to anyone else.”
How Manmohan Singh’s name was announced
According to the former Congress president, she was briefly taken out of the HouseShe then returned and requested the MPs to allow her to name her successorWhen the MPs agreed, she named DrManmohan SinghSonia Gandhi wrote in the book, “I relinquish the leadership of the Congress Parliamentary Party and nominate DrManmohan Singh as its leader.” Once again, applause eruptedEveryone stood upSome shouted slogans, others with tears in their eyesMy children also stood upI saw them applauding tooI gathered my papers and leftThis difficult period was finally over.
