Jaipur, November 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje finds a mention in Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, which recounts her involvement in events surrounding the growing estrangement between Indira Gandhi and her daughter-in-law, Maneka Gandhi, in the early 1980s.
According to Sonia Gandhi’s account, Raje supported Maneka during a period of mounting tensions within the Gandhi family following the death of Sanjay Gandhi.
One episode described in the memoir concerns the first birthday of Maneka and Sanjay Gandhi’s son, Varun Gandhi, in March 1981. Sonia writes that Indira Gandhi had proposed a small celebration with Maneka’s friends and their children. Maneka declined, but Indira later learnt that a birthday party had been held at Raje’s Delhi residence.
Raje, daughter of former Gwalior Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia, was politically opposed to Indira Gandhi and associated with the RSS. Sonia’s memoir portrays the decision to host the celebration at her residence as an act intended to hurt the then Prime Minister.
The book also links Raje to another development that reportedly deepened Indira Gandhi’s suspicions about Maneka’s plans to leave the family home. Sonia recounts that Raje helped facilitate the sale of Surya, Maneka’s magazine, to J.C. Jain and Sardar Angre, described as associates of Vijayaraje Scindia.
The transaction reportedly further angered Indira, who viewed it as an affront to the memory of Sanjay Gandhi and to the political legacy of her family.
The memoir’s account also recalls the longstanding political differences between Indira Gandhi and Vijayaraje Scindia. During the Emergency imposed in 1975, the former Gwalior royal was arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) for opposing the Congress government. Gayatri Devi of Jaipur’s former royal family was also imprisoned during the period, with both women lodged in Tihar Jail.
Vijayaraje Scindia was associated with the RSS and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the political predecessor of the BJP, and supported leaders including former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Maneka’s magazine Surya had also drawn political attention through its reports, including revelations concerning the son of then Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram.
The episodes, as narrated by Sonia Gandhi, offer a glimpse into the intersection of family disputes and political rivalries during a turbulent period in Indian politics.
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