Sonia Gandhi reflects on family, political life and loss in rare interview

Crime · First reported 7 Nov, 03:00 · Updated 03:28

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Ysherazi · CC BY-SA 4.0

In an interview about her forthcoming memoir, Sonia Gandhi recounts her life with Rajiv Gandhi, the assassinations of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, and her eventual role leading Congress. She also criticises the Modi government and describes concerns about political debate and publishing her book in India.

Gandhi says she met Rajiv in Cambridge, moved to India in 1968 and later became a central figure in Congress, including leading the party to victory in 2004 before declining the prime minister’s post.
She recalls witnessing Indira Gandhi’s killing in 1984 and says she feared Rajiv would also be killed; he was assassinated in 1991.
Gandhi criticises the Modi government and says her memoir’s original Indian publisher withdrew from publication after proposed edits; that publisher disputes her account.

Summary written by Lux AI from 2 articles

Key facts

Indira Gandhi assassinated: 31 October 1984, according to the article.
Rajiv Gandhi assassinated: 1991, while campaigning in an election, according to the article.
Congress election victory: Gandhi led Congress to electoral victory in 2004 and declined the prime minister’s post.
Interview context: Gandhi agreed to a rare interview to discuss her forthcoming memoir.