‘Important literary work’: Congress leaders praise Sonia Gandhi’s memoir

New Delhi, Nov 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Congress leaders on Tuesday welcomed the memoir of Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Belonging: A Journey of Love, describing it as an important literary work and saying that it offers insights into her personal and political journey.

Speaking to IANS, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid recalled the developments surrounding Sonia Gandhi's decision not to become Prime Minister after the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power in 2004.

"I have no idea what must have happened within the confines of the residence of Sonia ji, where the top leaders at the time went. Many Congress leaders at the time wanted Sonia Gandhi to be the Prime Minister, so they were waiting on the streets. Finally, when the announcement was made, I happened to be inside 10 Janpath, where a lot of people were seated. Therefore, when she did not become the Prime Minister, it was obviously very disappointing," Khurshid said.

"That was a call she took. That's the call the senior leaders of the party took. Therefore, we accepted it as the best thing that could have happened," he added.

Commenting on the reference to the Babri Masjid issue in the book, Khurshid said the events of December 6, 1992, were unfortunate and noted that BJP leaders had also acknowledged this.

"Whatever happened on December 6 was unfortunate, and the BJP leaders also accepted that," he said.

Former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar described reading Sonia Gandhi's autobiography as a responsibility for citizens, citing her political stature and the challenges she had faced during her public life.

"Reading the autobiography of Sonia Gandhi is the responsibility of every citizen of the country because she is a renowned female leader of this country. She had to overcome many false rumours in her lifetime. She has presented her life in front of the people," Kumar said.

He said readers should appreciate the literary work and understand the values that, according to him, had shaped Sonia Gandhi's public life.

"People need to honour the literature and understand that Sonia Gandhi is a leader with a lot of patience and has given priority to self-esteem and one's dignity. Whatever she has done in her political career, she has kept her sense of dignity intact," he said.

Kumar added that the book would be of interest to readers seeking to understand Sonia Gandhi's experiences in public life.

"The whole nation is looking forward to reading the book. She has maintained utmost dignity in all her political endeavours and fulfilled her duties as a mother and a wife. All Congress leaders wish her the best with her book. We are waiting to know more about her valuable experiences from the book," he said.

The memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, brings together Sonia Gandhi's reflections on her personal life and political journey, prompting reactions from leaders across the political spectrum.

Source: IANS