Businessman Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, said on Wednesday, 11 November 2026 that her memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love was not conceived as a rebuttal or an exercise in image management for the Gandhi family, but as a sincere effort to share her personal experiences and emotions with the country. Vadra made the remarks in New Delhi following the book's official release.

What Vadra Said About the Memoir

'I do not think this book is meant to offer any clarification or to present the Gandhi family in a better light. She simply wanted to share her story with the country and explain her experiences clearly, honestly and with affection,' Vadra said. He described the memoir as a record of Sonia Gandhi's journey into the Gandhi family, her political experiences, and the decisions she took in what he characterised as the national interest.

Vadra noted that he had not yet read the book himself, although Sonia Gandhi had personally presented him with a copy. He said, however, that he had heard reports of long queues forming to purchase it. 'She presented it to me herself; I'm yet to read it,' he added.

The 2004 Decision: Sacrifice or Strategy?

Vadra described Sonia Gandhi's decision to decline the Prime Ministership after the Congress-led alliance's 2004 general election victory as a significant personal sacrifice, arguing that at that moment no political force could have prevented her from assuming the office. 'After we campaigned in 2004, Sonia ji won by a huge majority. People liked her and voted for her. At that time, there was no one in the country who could have stopped her from becoming Prime Minister. But I felt that becoming Prime Minister was never her objective,' he said.

He said she had instead chosen former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on account of his economics background and her desire to carry forward the legacies of former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi. 'She asked Singh to run the country with her. I think people appreciated that. It was a big sacrifice on her side to give up the Prime Minister's position,' Vadra said.

On Secularism, Family Security and ED Proceedings

Vadra said Sonia Gandhi had been guided by a commitment to national unity and secularism, wanting to ensure, in his words, that 'the country did not become divided and that everyone remained united.' He also recalled that she had advised him, after he joined the family, that he would encounter both affection and political criticism.

Addressing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) proceedings initiated against him, Vadra alleged the accusations were false and said Sonia Gandhi had 'regularly checked on him' and provided guidance through that period. He did not elaborate further on the legal matters.

On questions about Sonia Gandhi's concern for her children — Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra — Vadra said she naturally advised caution, particularly in public gatherings, drawing on her own experience of losing Rajiv Gandhi in a crowd. 'She lost Rajiv ji in similar circumstances, but I would say that she is fearless,' he said. 'The entire family is fearless and has the strength to face whatever any political party says or does.'

Twelve Years in the Making

Vadra said Sonia Gandhi had spent 12 years documenting her experiences — positive and difficult alike — to produce the memoir. 'She took her time, spent 12 years, and jotted all her experiences in the book, be good or bad. The steps she took to ensure the goodwill of the nation. She has done a great job writing the book,' he said, adding that this reflected the feedback he had received from early readers.

He also called the memoir an inspiration for women and predicted that readers would come away with greater affection and respect for Sonia Gandhi. Vadra defended her political conduct, saying that despite what he described as a lack of reciprocal respect from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, she had continued to treat political opponents with dignity. He urged those criticising the book to read it carefully before commenting for 'political optics.' With the memoir now in circulation, attention will turn to whether Sonia Gandhi herself addresses questions raised by its contents in the weeks ahead.