Sonia Gandhi's memoir details domestic tensions with Maneka Gandhi
The memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love describes friction within the Nehru-Gandhi household involving Maneka and Sanjay Gandhi.
Sonia Gandhi has recalled domestic tensions and political differences involving Maneka Gandhi in her new memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, according to the Economic Times. The 526-page book, published by HarperCollins India, details her life from her childhood in Italy to her entry into politics.
Sonia Gandhi writes that Maneka Gandhi, who married Sanjay Gandhi after turning 18, was initially seen as a vivacious addition to the household. However, the atmosphere changed as irritations arose, with Sonia Gandhi noting that Maneka's use of expletives in the home was taboo and shocking to the family.
The memoir states that Maneka's growing influence over Sanjay Gandhi affected his relationship with Rajiv Gandhi. During the Emergency, Sanjay Gandhi's political activities reportedly troubled Indira Gandhi, who believed Maneka was encouraging his ambitions rather than persuading him to exercise restraint.
Following the Congress party's defeat in the 1978 elections, Rajiv Gandhi blamed Sanjay Gandhi's behaviour for the setback. Sonia Gandhi recalls a bitter exchange where Rajiv Gandhi told his brother, "I cannot forgive you, Sanjay, you have brought Ma to this pass."
After Sanjay Gandhi died in an aircraft crash on June 23, 1980, disagreements emerged regarding Maneka Gandhi's political future. Sonia Gandhi writes that Indira Gandhi was reluctant to grant her a political role, believing she lacked experience and should focus on her son, Feroze Varun Gandhi.
Relations were further strained by an incident involving a birthday party for Varun Gandhi held at the home of Vasundhara Raje. Sonia Gandhi notes that Indira Gandhi viewed certain developments, including the sale of Maneka's magazine Surya, as deliberate provocations.