New Delhi, November 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has recalled that she had “begged” her husband, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, not to enter politics, but did not oppose her son Rahul Gandhi’s decision to join public life.
In her memoir, Belonging: A Journey Of Love, released worldwide on Tuesday, Sonia Gandhi wrote that Rahul had a longstanding interest in politics and admired his father’s courage in continuing public life despite the threats he faced, NDTV reported.
“Two decades earlier, I had begged Rajiv not to enter politics, not to throw himself and all of us into that menacing world. Now, it was my son’s turn, and this time I did not resist it,” she wrote.
Sonia Gandhi also recalled the close relationship Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared with Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, which was a political stronghold of the family. Rajiv Gandhi had taken Rahul to the constituency several times during his school years to familiarise him with rural life.
She said Priyanka had been present in Amethi during all of her elections, building close ties with party workers and residents. However, her priorities at the time included raising her young children and pursuing a postgraduate diploma in Buddhist studies.
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According to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul followed political developments in India closely even while working abroad. His MPhil subject at Cambridge was Development Studies, and the Congress leadership had been urging him to take on an active political role.
She wrote that Rahul’s decision followed discussions with her and Priyanka, along with considerable personal reflection, as entering politics meant becoming a public figure whose every move would be scrutinised.
In March 2004, Rahul announced that he would contest the Lok Sabha election from Amethi, while Sonia Gandhi moved to neighbouring Rae Bareli. She recalled that he “won handsomely” in his electoral debut and enthusiastically took up his responsibilities.
Sonia Gandhi also highlighted Rahul’s efforts to bring businesses and industries to rural Amethi, as well as Priyanka’s work in establishing self-help groups to help women become agents of change. She said the Amethi groups grew significantly with Rahul’s involvement, while he also established an eye hospital whose branches later expanded to Lucknow and Haryana.
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