‘People may change their view about me’: Sonia Gandhi expects ‘tamasha’ after ‘Belonging’ release

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has said her upcoming book Belonging is an attempt to put down her own story and correct what she believes were inaccurate accounts of her life, adding that she expects the book to spark debate and potentially change public perceptions of her.

“There’s bound to be some tamasha when this book comes out,” Gandhi said, explaining that much had been written about her over the years, but some of it was “invented or exaggerated”. The book is scheduled to be released on November 10.

Gandhi said the decision to write the book stemmed from a desire to describe events as they actually happened, rather than leave her life and experiences to be defined by accounts written by others.

“Well, I felt that since a lot had been written about me and a lot of it was not quite correct, you know, it was either invented or exaggerated. So it gave me a feel of being able to now put down my story and describe facts and things as they were, as they really were,” she said.

Clarifying that she did not want to describe her account merely as a version of events, Gandhi added, “Or let us say my, not version, I wouldn't say version, but my story. People have different views.”

She acknowledged that the book could influence how readers perceive her, saying some might change their opinions while others could develop a more negative view.

“Some people may change their view about me. Some people's view may become worse, but that's what it is. That's what happens when you write a book or when you are in public life,” she said.

Gandhi also briefly referred to the political circumstances surrounding her husband, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, saying she had been completely opposed when he was asked to become prime minister.

“I don't know if I should tell the whole story,” she said at the beginning of her remarks, before referring to the episode.