Sonia Gandhi's book 'Belonging: A Journey of Love' has now become not just a family story but a new center of political debate. In this book of 544 pages, along with the personal life of the Gandhi family, many controversial political developments of the country are also mentioned. From the Emergency to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the Babri Masjid demolition, Sonia's comments on many issues have given the BJP an opportunity to attack. The special thing is that assembly elections are to be held in five states next year. In such a situation, the question is whether this book will increase the problems of Congress or will it again bring the political legacy of Gandhi family into discussion?
What is there in the book that gave BJP the opportunity to attack?
This book of Sonia Gandhi is of 544 pages. It mentions his childhood in Italy, meeting Rajiv Gandhi, marriage, assassination of Indira Gandhi, assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and his role in politics. The book also explains the reason behind his decision not to accept the post of Prime Minister after the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
However, issues like Emergency, Operation Blue Star, 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Babri Masjid demolition and Bofors have become the cause of political controversy. BJP alleges that the way Sonia Gandhi has presented these incidents, the responsibility of the Gandhi family appears less. The party has even termed the book as 'whitewashing'. This is a political allegation of BJP, not an impartial conclusion of the book.
What did Sonia write on Emergency, why is BJP raising questions?
On June 25, 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had imposed emergency in the country. It continued till 21 March 1977. During this period, opposition leaders were arrested, the press was censored and restrictions were imposed on civil liberties.
Sonia Gandhi has called Emergency a mistake in her book. He has written that Indira Gandhi also realized this later. Referring to the role of Sanjay Gandhi, Sonia said that if he had been kept under control, the damage caused could have been prevented to a great extent.
BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan alleged that Sonia Gandhi is trying to save the Gandhi family from the responsibility of Emergency. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi has also raised questions on the details related to Rajiv Gandhi in the book.
What made BJP leaders angry over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots?
After the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 31 October 1984, anti-Sikh violence took place in many cities including Delhi. According to government figures, 2,733 people lost their lives in Delhi alone. Questions have been raised for decades on the political responsibility of Congress and the Gandhi family regarding this incident.
In her book, Sonia Gandhi has described the violence of 1984 as a sad and shameful chapter in the history of India. While defending Rajiv Gandhi, he has written that at that time the effective governance system had broken down and violence took place.
BJP leader and advocate in the cases of victims HS Phoolka has raised questions on Sonia's description. They allege that in the book an attempt has been made to save Rajiv Gandhi and his family from responsibility. On the other hand, Congress leaders have termed BJP's criticism as a political attack.
How did the mention of Babri Masjid and Bofors become an issue for BJP?
Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya on 6 December 1992. After this incident, communal violence took place in many parts of the country. Ram Mandir movement and Babri demolition have been important issues in the politics of Uttar Pradesh for a long time.
BJP has raised questions on the details related to Babri Masjid in Sonia Gandhi's book. The party alleges that the issue has been presented in the book from a political perspective. BJP has also mentioned the Bofors case and asked why there is not enough discussion in the book on this controversy related to the Gandhi family.
It is worth noting here that these allegations of BJP are its political reaction. Mention or omission of any issue in the book does not in itself prove any allegation.
What impact can this book have on the elections in five states?
Assembly elections are to be held in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur in 2027. Political circumstances are different in these states, but these elections will be important for both Congress and BJP.
The issue of Ram Temple and Babri Masjid has been important in the political debate in Uttar Pradesh. The memories of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and Operation Blue Star in Punjab are sensitive political topics. There will be political competition between BJP and Congress in Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur also.
Through these historical events, BJP can raise questions on the old rule of Congress and the role of Gandhi family. The challenge before Congress will be to answer the questions raised in the book and present its political legacy. However, it is not possible to say right now that the book will have a direct impact on the election results.
Will Congress get a lifeline or will BJP's attack intensify?
There are two aspects to Sonia Gandhi's book for Congress. On one hand, it is the story of his personal life, relationship with Rajiv Gandhi, family tragedies and his entry into politics. This can lead to discussion on the legacy of the Gandhi family and Sonia's long political journey.
On the other hand, issues like Emergency, 1984 riots and Babri Masjid included in the book may force Congress to respond to old controversies. BJP is already aggressive on these issues.
Sonia Gandhi's book has again brought many questions related to Congress's past into discussion. BJP is making it a political issue, while Congress is seeing it as an attempt to present the story and viewpoint of the Gandhi family through the book. Now the real question is, how much importance do voters give to these historical controversies in the 2027 elections and how much space do they get in comparison to current issues like employment, inflation, development?
Will the book change the election environment?
Senior journalist Radha Raman believes that BJP will not get any special benefit by making Sonia Gandhi's book 'Belonging: A Journey of Love' a political issue. Congress is also not likely to suffer any major loss due to this. According to him, BJP has no concrete issue left except rekindling old controversies. The law and order claims that it presents as its biggest achievement also come under question when compared to the data of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
Radha Raman says that in the current political scenario, instead of dialogue and accountability, the tendency to ask questions in response to questions is becoming dominant. Instead of giving direct answers on any issue, political parties start raising questions on the opposition. In such an environment, it is becoming difficult to expect responsibility and accountability from the political leadership. When instead of answering questions, new questions are raised, then the scope for serious political discussion will naturally be reduced.
In his assessment, the controversy over Sonia Gandhi's book is also a part of this political trend. Making this a big issue in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections is unlikely to have any decisive impact on the election results. Therefore, the political noise created over this controversy before the elections in five states cannot in itself be considered a sign of any major political change.
Radha Raman's analysis clearly indicates that merely fanning old controversies does not guarantee electoral gains. Ultimately, in elections, issues like everyday questions, functioning of the government, law and order and accountability of political parties are also important for the public. Only time will tell how far the ongoing debate on Sonia Gandhi's book goes. At present, it would be premature to consider this as the basis for any major upheaval in electoral politics.