M A I N   N E W S

Sonia to pen a book on saying no to PM-ship

London, December 17
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has promised to write a book detailing the tense moments in 2004 when she stepped aside in favour of Manmohan Singh for the prime ministership after the UPA emerged victorious in the general elections.

What more did Sonia say She ‘felt better’ that someone else became PM and ‘did not regret’ her decision She was under immense pressure, as party workers were ‘very upset’ Her children were ‘not keen’ on her entering politics It was the rise of BJP, right-wing politics that “compelled” her to enter politics

Stating that she is often asked why she turned down the top job, Gandhi told a visiting US dignitary in New Delhi in 2006 that "I am often asked about this, but tell people that I will write a book someday with the whole story," according to a secret US cable releasd by WikiLeaks. The 2006 cable details Gandhi's meeting with Maria Shriver, the First Lady of California and wife of Governor Arnold Shwarznegger. It is is titled 'A Garrulous Sonia Gandhi Opens Up to Maria Shriver'.

Reporting the meeting, the cable says about Gandhi: "She would only say that she 'felt better' that someone else became PM and 'did not regret' her decision." "Shriver congratulated Mrs Gandhi for her resoluteness and described her as 'courageous’." The cable adds: "She (Gandhi) elaborated, at Karan Singh's insistence, saying that she was under lots of pressure, as the 'party workers' were 'very upset.' They 'could not understand' why she, as party president, was not taking up the post, since they had voted for her and won a majority."

Describing what appeared to be a very cordial meeting, the cable says Gandhi opened up and "revealed a rare glimpse of herself”.

“Usually withdrawn and reserved in public, she spoke at great length and radiated confidence on women's issues and some aspects of her private life.” It was the rise of the BJP and right-wing politics that "compelled" her to enter politics, despite much reluctance, according to the cable.

The cable says: "In a candid revelation of her personal political stance, Mrs Gandhi stated that 'the right (wing) was becoming strong in India and Congress weak,' tipping her hand and 'compelling' her to enter politics to protect the Gandhi family legacy. "She also revealed that her children were 'not keen' about the idea, but eventually told her, 'whatever you decide, we will back you’."

Sonia Gandhi, the cable says, revealed that her parents objected to her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi and she "resented their position" and went ahead and married him anyway. — PTI