Sonia Gandhi memoir 'Belonging' draws BJP welcome — with conditions
Synopsis
The BJP has welcomed Sonia Gandhi's upcoming memoir — but only if it tells the full story of the UPA years, including what the party calls a 'puppet' Prime Minister and a power centre at 10, Janpath. Congress, meanwhile, frames the book as a testament to personal sacrifice and national service. The memoir's political fallout may matter as much as its literary merit.
Key Takeaways
Sonia Gandhi's memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love' , is set for release on 10 November by publisher Alfred A.
BJP MLA Ram Kadam welcomed the book but demanded it address alleged corruption and a 'puppet' Prime Minister dynamic during the 2004–2014 UPA tenure.
The memoir reportedly covers Gandhi's journey from Italy to Indian political life, including personal loss and political duty.
Congress leader Pawan Khera described the book as a 'travelogue of life' and said global audiences are awaiting its release.
The BJP's 'remote control from 10, Janpath ' framing echoes a long-standing party critique of the UPA era under the late Manmohan Singh .
Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's upcoming memoir has drawn a pointed response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which on Thursday, 20 August offered conditional congratulations — welcoming the book while demanding that it reflect candid truths about the 2004–2014 United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era. The memoir, titled 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', is scheduled for release on 10 November by publisher Alfred A. Knopf.
What the Book Covers
The memoir reportedly traces Sonia Gandhi's personal journey from a small town in Italy to the upper echelons of Indian political life. According to reports, the book encompasses themes of love, bereavement, and political duty — including the loss of two family members — that shaped her decades-long public life.
What the BJP Said
BJP MLA Ram Kadam extended wishes for the book's release but attached a clear rider. 'I extend my best wishes to Sonia Gandhi for her upcoming book, which is an autobiography. However, I hope she also writes the truth in it — that during her tenure, the Prime Minister functioned like a puppet, with the remote control being operated from 10, Janpath. The book should also mention the corruption that took place during that period and how efforts were allegedly made to fill their own rooms rather than serve the people,' Kadam said.
He added, 'Everybody writes good things but if Sonia Gandhi writes the truth, it would definitely be welcomed.' The remarks pointedly referenced the tenure of the late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a long-standing BJP criticism that real power during the UPA years resided with Gandhi rather than the elected head of government.
Congress Responds
Congress leader Pawan Khera struck a sharply different tone, describing the memoir as far more than a political document. 'This is not just a book; it is a journey, a travelogue of life. It is a journey in which Sonia ji endured a tremendous amount. She endured the martyrdom of two members of her family, including the martyrdom of her husband, and still kept on fighting,' he said.
Khera further noted that the anticipation for the book extends well beyond India's borders. 'The entire country and even many people across the world are waiting for Sonia's book,' he said, adding that 'no one can forget her contribution in keeping the country united.'
The Political Subtext
The BJP's conditional welcome is consistent with a broader opposition narrative the party has maintained since 2014 — that the UPA decade was defined by a 'remote control' power structure, with 10, Janpath functioning as the de facto seat of authority. The memoir's publication, ahead of what is expected to be a politically charged electoral season, means its contents are likely to be scrutinised as much for political ammunition as for personal revelation.
Notably, memoirs by sitting or former heads of major political parties are rare in Indian public life, making 'Belonging: A Journey of Love' an unusual document regardless of its contents. How candidly it addresses the UPA years will determine whether it reshapes — or reinforces — existing political narratives around Sonia Gandhi's legacy.
Point of View
If candid, could either defuse or detonate that charge. What's missing from the mainstream coverage is the significance of the format itself: a sitting CPP chairperson publishing with a major Western house is unusual, and the international audience for this book may shape perceptions of Indian political history in ways that domestic political point-scoring does not capture. The Congress response, framing the book as personal sacrifice rather than political chronicle, suggests the party would prefer the memoir be read as biography, not as an accountability document.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sonia Gandhi's upcoming memoir about?
'Belonging: A Journey of Love' is Sonia Gandhi's memoir, reportedly covering her personal journey from a small town in Italy to a position of power in Indian politics. It is said to address themes of love, loss — including the deaths of two family members — and political duty.
When will Sonia Gandhi's memoir be published?
The memoir is scheduled for release on 10 November, published by Alfred A. Knopf.
Why did the BJP welcome the book with conditions?
BJP MLA Ram Kadam congratulated Gandhi but demanded the memoir address what the party describes as a 'puppet' Prime Minister during the 2004–2014 UPA years, with real power allegedly centred at 10, Janpath. He also called for the book to acknowledge alleged corruption of that era.
What did Congress say about the memoir?
Congress leader Pawan Khera described the book as a 'travelogue of life,' highlighting Gandhi's personal sacrifices including the loss of family members. He said both Indians and international audiences are eagerly awaiting its release.
Who is the publisher of Sonia Gandhi's memoir?
The memoir 'Belonging: A Journey of Love' will be published by Alfred A. Knopf, a major international publishing house.
