Deoghar, November 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Rakesh Kesri, grandson of former Congress president Sitaram Kesri, has rejected allegations that Sonia Gandhi played a role in his grandfather’s removal as party chief in 1998. He said Sonia Gandhi was among the first to visit Kesri after the development and described him as a “great leader”.
Speaking to IANS, Rakesh Kesri said Sonia Gandhi immediately went to his grandfather’s residence on Purana Qila Road after learning about his removal and spoke to him.
His remarks come after Sonia Gandhi recounted the episode in her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love. She wrote that after being elected Congress president at a Congress Working Committee meeting in 1998, she went to Kesri’s residence and touched his feet to seek his blessings. Kesri, surprised by her visit, placed his hand on her head and blessed her with moist eyes, according to her account.
Rakesh Kesri said he was around 25 or 26 years old at the time and was not involved in politics. However, he praised Sonia Gandhi’s dedication and described her decisions as sacrifices for the party and the country. Rejecting claims that others had opposed her becoming Prime Minister, he said, “There was no one to oppose her. It was her own sacrifice.”
He also maintained that his grandfather shared a good relationship with the Gandhi family and denied that Sonia Gandhi had any role in his removal. Recalling his grandfather’s remarks, he said Kesri would refer to the party as “Congress-I”, meaning Indira Congress, rather than calling it his own Congress.
Rakesh Kesri attributed the episode to “certain people with a particular ideology and mindset”. He also said the Gandhi family had remained in touch with the Kesri family after his grandfather’s death in 2000.
He said the Congress leadership accepted the family’s request to observe Sitaram Kesri’s 25th death anniversary on October 24 last year. According to him, the party organised the event at its own expense as a mark of respect for the former Congress president.
FOLLOW NOW
