Sonia Gandhi Reveals How Rahul Reacted After She Agreed to Become PM Under Pressure

Sonia Gandhi has opened up about the circumstances surrounding her decision to turn down the Prime Minister’s post following the Congress-led alliance’s electoral victory.

In an excerpt from her book Belonging: A Journey of Love, published by HarperCollins India, she recounts the emotional exchanges with her children, the pressure exerted by alliance leaders and the reasons she eventually chose Dr Manmohan Singh to lead the government.

Gandhi revealed that she had discussed the possibility of becoming Prime Minister with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi several months before the elections. When one of her children asked whether she would accept the position if the Congress won, she firmly replied that she would not. Both Rahul and Priyanka were also against the idea, having witnessed the assassinations of their grandmother, Indira Gandhi, and father, Rajiv Gandhi. They feared that the Prime Minister’s position could expose their family to further danger.

Despite her clear personal stance, Gandhi decided not to disclose her views publicly during the election campaign. She said her priority was to keep the Congress united and prevent any internal leadership battle while the party was fighting for political survival.

Alliance leaders try to persuade Sonia Gandhi

Gandhi recalled that senior alliance leaders visited her residence after the election results to convince her to take up the Prime Minister’s position. After listening to their arguments for more than an hour, she tried to communicate her refusal.

However, the leaders reportedly surrounded her and insisted that they would not accept her decision. Overwhelmed by the situation, Gandhi quietly said, “Theek hai”. The leaders immediately assumed that she had agreed and began congratulating her.

The episode triggered an emotional confrontation within the family. Rahul Gandhi was furious when he learnt that his mother had apparently accepted the offer. Gandhi explained that she had been pressurised and had no intention of becoming Prime Minister. Priyanka also encouraged her to remain firm and follow her original decision.

Foreign-origin issue among the reasons for her decision

In her book, Gandhi explained that concerns over the political consequences of her foreign origin also influenced her decision. She believed the BJP and its allies would continue to use the issue to create controversy and divisions if she became Prime Minister.

She said her political involvement was driven by a sense of responsibility towards the legacy of Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi, as well as the Congress party and its supporters. Gandhi also expressed concern that accepting the position could lead to political turmoil and divert attention from the country’s development and progress.

After spending a difficult night reflecting on the situation, she went to Rahul’s room the next morning and confirmed that she would not change her mind. Rahul embraced her and supported her decision.

Sonia Gandhi names Manmohan Singh as Prime Ministerial choice

Gandhi further described the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting, where party MPs once again appealed to her to accept the top post. Despite their emotional speeches and protests, she remained determined to step aside.

Addressing the gathering, she said becoming Prime Minister had never been her ambition and that she was following her inner conviction by declining the offer. She reaffirmed her commitment to defending India’s secular foundations and working for the poor.

She then asked the MPs to allow her to nominate her successor and announced Dr Manmohan Singh as the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party. The announcement prompted applause, slogans and emotional reactions from party members.

Gandhi described the decision as the end of a deeply challenging episode in her political life, adding that she remained committed to working for the Congress and the country without holding the Prime Minister’s office.