Sonia Gandhi

Penguin was 'uneasy' with criticism of govt in my memoir: Sonia Gandhi

Breaking her silence on the censorship row involving her upcoming memoir, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has said that publisher Penguin Random House India was "uneasy" with criticism of the government. While she was disappointed that the publisher did not go ahead with the book, she was not surprised. Penguin Random House India (PRHI) was initially keen to publish the memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love", but subsequently said it would not be the Indian publisher. In an interview with The Guardian ahead of the release of the book on November 10, Gandhi said Penguin was "uneasy in general with the criticism of the government". Gandhi admitted she was disappointed, though not altogether surprised, by Penguin India's decision not to publish the book. She saw it as an attempt to censor her book, The Guardian reported. The controversy began amid reports of differences between the publisher and the author's representatives over editorial changes to the ...

Emergency a mistake, Indira later regretted decision: Sonia Gandhi

Weighing in on the Emergency, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has called the decision to impose it a mistake and said that she believes that her mother-in-law and then prime minister Indira Gandhi also came to feel the same. The Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson in her upcoming book "Belonging: A Journey of Love" also writes that keeping Sanjay Gandhi "in check" could have prevented much of the damage that followed the imposition of the Emergency, according to The Guardian. In an interview with the British daily ahead of the launch of her memoir, Sonia Gandhi said, "I always feel that Mrs (Indira) Gandhi was a democrat at heart." "I know that many would laugh at this, but I believe she was never comfortable in the course of the emergency. I think it was sitting heavy on her," she added. Sonia Gandhi, who also holds the distinction of being the longest serving president of the Congress, was quoted by the British daily as saying that it was a mistake for Indira Gandhi to call the

'Great damage' done to India's democracy under Modi govt: Sonia Gandhi

"Great damage" has been done over the last 12 years to the fabric of India, democracy and institutions, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has alleged, asserting that even after the Modi government goes, it will take time to restore the country's systems back to health. In an interview with The Hindu ahead of the launch of her book, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', she also pointed out that people are now beginning to be restless and recognising the damage. "But I am optimistic and I know that the people of India will welcome a return to proper governance," the former Congress chief said. "Over the last twelve years great damage has been done to the fabric of our country, our democracy and our institutions. Even after this government goes, it will take time to restore our systems back to health and great effort from political parties," she said. Asked about the decline of the Congress and her assessment of its present condition and prospects, Gandhi said, "I am no

'Businesses at risk': Delhi traders urge Congress to postpone Nov 1 rally

The CTI has sought a postponement of the November 1 Ramlila Maidan rally, warning that traffic disruption could hit business in 20 key markets during the peak Diwali shopping period

Sonia Gandhi makes Instagram debut, gains 110K followers within hours

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi joined Instagram on Thursday, sharing the first look of her memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, and gained over 110,000 followers within hours.

INDIA bloc plans 'Save Democracy' protests over 'vote chori' allegations

Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi during the bloc's coordination meeting, in New Delhi on Wednesday photo: pti

HarperCollins to publish Sonia Gandhi memoir after Penguin backs out

HarperCollins India will publish Sonia Gandhi's memoir on November 10 after Penguin Random House India declined to publish it following a dispute over editorial changes

Sonia Gandhi electoral roll case: Delhi court defers plea order to Sept 21

A Delhi court on Saturday adjourned its order on a revision plea challenging a September 11, 2025 verdict of a magistrate, refusing to probe the allegation that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's name was included in the electoral roll three years before acquiring Indian citizenship in 1983. Special Judge Vishal Gogne adjourned the pronouncement to September 21. Earlier, Sonia Gandhi's counsel had submitted a reply, saying that the complaint was politically motivated and filed for an extraneous reason. The magisterial court's order had dismissed the complaint filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi, vice president of the Central Delhi Court Bar Association of the Rouse Avenue court.

Cong leaders in Keralam back Sonia Gandhi amid controversy over memoir

Ministers in Keralam on Friday backed Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi amid a controversy over the publication of her memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', in India. The reactions came after Penguin Random House India said it was not the publisher of Sonia Gandhi's memoir. Earlier this month, American publisher Alfred A Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House, announced that the book would be released on November 10. The statement came after a report in The Indian Express claimed that the publisher had backed out after Gandhi refused to make "editorial changes" to the manuscript. Higher Education Minister Roji M John, in a Facebook post, praised Sonia Gandhi for refusing to alter her memoir and recalled the personal tragedies she had faced, including the assassinations of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. John said Sonia Gandhi had initially sought to stay away from politics but later took up the leadership of the Congress due to ...

Writing about my life did not come easily to me: Sonia on upcoming memoir

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, whose 544-page memoir will be published in November, has said writing about her life meant opening herself up and sharing experiences she had kept deep inside, as she reflected on the heartbreak and loss that drew her into politics. "It was heartbreak and loss that threw me into the public world of politics. Up till then I had guarded my privacy fiercely," Gandhi said in a statement issued here on Tuesday by publisher Alfred A Knopf. "Writing about my life did not come easily to me. It meant opening myself up, sharing moments and experiences I had always held deep inside," the senior Congress leader said. Titled 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', the memoir will be released in hardcover and ebook by Knopf on November 10, with an audio edition to be published by Penguin Random House. The publisher said an announced first printing of 100,000 copies has been set. Gandhi described the book as a "testament of my heart's journey through the tender joys and dark

Congress, TMC dismiss merger buzz amid West Bengal political churn

Meetings between Mamata Banerjee, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi spark speculation, but both parties deny any merger plans

V D Satheesan meets Sonia, Rahul during first Delhi visit as Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Saturday met top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge during his first visit to Delhi after assuming office. Satheesan also called on AICC general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the visit. The chief minister, who arrived in the national capital late on Friday night, thanked the Congress high command for its support during the Assembly election campaign, party sources said. According to sources, organisational matters and things related to the functioning of the newly formed UDF government in Kerala figured prominently in the discussions with senior leaders. The visit also comes amid discussions within the Congress over the appointment of a new Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president. There were indications that the CM may also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an available day next week, though there was no immediate officia

Sonia, Rahul, Kharge pay tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on 35th death anniversary

Senior Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot, P Chidambaram, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Mukul Wasnik, among other party members, also paid tribute to the former PM at Vir Bhumi

Govt rushing delimitation, women's quota for political gain: Sonia Gandhi

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday asserted the real issue with the government's move to bring bills in a special sitting of Parliament this week is delimitation, not women's reservation, and claimed that the reported delimitation proposal is "extremely dangerous" as well as an "assault on the Constitution itself". Gandhi stressed that any delimitation involving an increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha must be politically, and not just arithmetically, equitable. In an article published in The Hindu, she also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's real intention now is to further "delay and derail" the caste census. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making appeals to opposition parties to support bills that the government wants to bulldoze through Parliament in a special session when the election campaign in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal will be at its peak, she said. "There can be only one reason for the extraordinary hurry, which is to derive ...

Sonia Gandhi discharged from hospital after recovery from infection

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was discharged from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday morning after recovering from a "systemic infection", doctors said. She had been admitted on the night of March 24 at around 10.20 pm with a fever and spent seven days in the hospital. According to hospital chairman Dr Ajay Swaroop, Gandhi underwent treatment for a systemic infection and responded well to antibiotics. A systemic infection occurs when pathogens such as bacteria enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, rather than staying localised. Doctors said she has now recovered and will continue further treatment and follow-up at home.

Sonia Gandhi's health shows improvement, will be discharged soon: Doctors

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's health is showing steady improvement, and she will be discharged from the hospital within one to two days, her doctors said on Friday. The 79-year-old leader was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday night at around 10:22 pm after developing a fever. According to hospital chairman Ajay Swaroop, Gandhi is "much better", showing medical improvement and is comfortable. "She is walking around and has taken her breakfast. Overall, her progress is smooth, and we hope that she will be fit to be discharged within a day or two," he said. According to the doctors attending the Congress leader, Gandhi is undergoing treatment for a systemic infection and is responding well to antibiotics. She remains under the supervision of a team of senior doctors, who are closely monitoring her condition. Sources said she is likely to stay under observation for a short period as a precaution, though her condition is stable and not serious.

Sonia Gandhi to remain under medical observation for a few more days

Veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who is admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here, is stable and under close medical supervision, doctors said on Wednesday. According to hospital authorities, she was admitted at around 10.22 pm on Tuesday. Chairman Dr Ajay Swaroop said that her condition remains stable and a team of doctors is closely monitoring her health. Doctors are conducting further examinations to check for a possible infection in the stomach and urinary tract, and antibiotics have been administered as part of the treatment, the hospital said. Sources had earlier said that Gandhi was unwell, possibly due to the weather change, and was admitted for observation. They said there is no cause for concern and her condition is not serious.

Congress gets final eviction notices for Akbar Road, Raisina Road offices

The Congress party has received notices from the Estate department to vacate its 24, Akbar road office and 5, Raisina Road premises in Lutyens Delhi by March 28, according to sources. The party faces eviction of its old party office, which it has held since 1978, as this is the final notice sent by the estate department. The party continues to have its headquarters at its Akbar Road office, while the Indian Youth Congress functions from the Raisina Road premises. The sources said that the notice was delivered a few days and has not even given a week's time to the grand old party. Sources in the party said the Congress is yet to formulate its strategy on the issue and may even approach court in view of the sudden notice. The Congress has already constructed its new party office at Indira Bhawan. While the party did not say anything officially, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said the government should apply its rule uniformly to all and not single it out.

Sonia Gandhi hospitalised due to weather change, under observation

A team of doctors is attending to her, but there is nothing serious, the sources said

Govt's silence on Khamenei assassination not neutral but abdication: Sonia

In a scathing criticism of the Modi government, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said its silence on the targeted assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not neutral but an abdication, and raises serious doubts about the direction and credibility of India's foreign policy. The former Congress president also demanded that when Parliament reconvenes for the second part of the Budget session, the government's "disturbing silence" over the breakdown of international order must be debated openly and without evasion. In her article published in The Indian Express, Gandhi said there is an urgent need for "us to rediscover" the moral strength and articulate it with clarity and commitment. "On March 1, Iran confirmed that its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, had been assassinated in targeted strikes carried out the previous day by the United States and Israel. The killing of a sitting head of state in the midst of