New Delhi, November 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has recalled how her initially warm relationship with her younger sister-in-law, Maneka Gandhi, gradually deteriorated, eventually leading to Maneka leaving the Gandhi household after the death of her husband, Sanjay Gandhi.
In her memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, released on Tuesday, Sonia Gandhi describes Maneka’s entry into the family, their early interactions and the growing tensions within the household. She wrote that Maneka was introduced to Sanjay towards the end of 1973 and married him within a year.
Describing her initial impression, Sonia wrote: “Maneka was a high-spirited and talkative girl, full of zest. It was refreshing at first to have a younger sister-in-law in the house.” She recalled hearing Maneka’s laughter and conversations about friends and books, while her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would often sit in her aunt’s room listening to stories.
However, Sonia said differences gradually emerged. The staff addressed her as “Bahurani” and Maneka as “Choti Bahu”, a distinction that Maneka probably viewed as a putdown, although Indira Gandhi considered both daughters-in-law equal members of the family. Sonia also recalled arguments between Sanjay and Maneka becoming increasingly heated, with Maneka sometimes using language that embarrassed him and shocked other family members.
According to Sonia, Maneka became more involved in Sanjay’s political activities, while her influence also affected his relationship with his elder brother, Rajiv Gandhi. She wrote that tensions increased after the Emergency-era political setbacks and the 1978 elections, with Rajiv holding Sanjay responsible for several decisions that had damaged the family politically.
Recalling one family discussion, Sonia quoted Rajiv as saying: “I cannot forgive you, Sanjay, you have brought Ma to this pass”. She said Indira Gandhi also expressed her displeasure over Sanjay issuing orders without her knowledge. Maneka intervened in the exchange, further worsening relations, according to Sonia’s account.
Sonia also alleged that Maneka’s hostility towards the family grew and that she spread stories about Rajiv and Sonia through journalists. One claim that particularly angered them, she wrote, was that the couple had intended to leave the country after the election defeat.
The situation became more serious after Sanjay Gandhi died in an aircraft crash on June 23, 1980. Sonia said Indira Gandhi felt Maneka, then 23 and caring for her three-month-old son, Varun Gandhi, was too young to be given a political leadership role and should wait before pursuing political ambitions.
The relationship deteriorated further in March 1981, when Maneka hosted Varun’s first birthday at the residence of Vasundhara Raje, whom Sonia described as a supporter of the RSS and a political opponent of Indira Gandhi. Sonia wrote that Maneka later began moving her belongings out of the family home while Indira was in London.
On returning, Indira expressed her displeasure and asked Maneka to choose “either to refrain, or to live elsewhere”, Sonia recalled. She alleged that Maneka responded with a letter containing accusations against her mother-in-law and intended to make her departure a public controversy.
Sonia described the episode as a “reality show” because of the publicity and accusations that followed. She also recalled that the Gandhi family later legally contested Maneka over visiting rights to her son, which she eventually denied.
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