Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, launched a sharp attack on Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi following the release of her memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, accusing her of making false claims and attempting to cast herself as a political martyr. Singh's remarks represent the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) most direct response yet to the memoir's publication.

Singh's Core Allegations

Reacting to the memoir, Singh alleged that Sonia Gandhi was seeking political sympathy through a selective personal narrative. 'She is lying. She wants to become a martyr by getting her nails trimmed. Technically, she could not have become Prime Minister. I have heard that all preparations had been made at that time to install her on the throne. But someone gave what proved to be good advice, as some people believe, and technically she could not become Prime Minister,' Singh said.

He added, 'I am happy that the book she has written about herself has exposed her true face.' Singh did not substantiate these characterisations with documentary evidence during his remarks.

Batla House Encounter and Pahalgam References

Singh also revived the long-standing political controversy over the Batla House encounter, alleging that Gandhi had shown selective grief. 'Her tears flowed when a terrorist was killed in Batla House. But her tears dry up whenever Hindus are burnt in Godhra. When our brothers and sisters are shot dead by terrorists in Pahalgam after being asked about their religion, all their tears dry up,' he said.

He further alleged that the Congress leadership had remained silent over soldiers killed in terrorist attacks and in Naxalite violence. 'Their tears flow when it comes to people like Afzal Guru. Perhaps their tears flow when programmes are organised at JNU on his death anniversary,' Singh added.

Citizenship Controversy Revisited

Singh also raised allegations about Sonia Gandhi's acquisition of Indian citizenship, claiming she took it only when political power became a possibility for her family. 'She did not take citizenship until she realised that her family could also come to power. When did she acquire citizenship? In 1983. Before that, she was staying illegally,' he alleged.

These citizenship claims have been a recurring BJP talking point for several years and remain contested. The Congress party has previously dismissed similar allegations as politically motivated and factually incorrect.

Political Context

Singh's remarks came amid a wider wave of political reactions triggered by the memoir's release. Leaders across party lines have commented on Sonia Gandhi's account of key political and personal events, with the memoir reigniting debates over the UPA era, her decision not to assume the Prime Ministership in 2004, and episodes she addresses in the book. This is not the first time Singh has targeted Gandhi publicly; he has been among the most vocal BJP voices on issues related to the Congress leadership. The timing — ahead of several state assembly cycles — adds an unmistakably electoral edge to the exchange.