Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has released her memoir, titled Belonging: A Journey of Love, a 544-page volume that has sparked intense public interest and significant political discourse.
The book, published by HarperCollins India and released on November 10, offers personal accounts of Gandhi’s life and experiences with various political figures.
The release has been met with high demand across India. Booksellers and e-commerce platforms reported a surge in interest, with many industry observers suggesting the memoir could become the best-selling book of the decade. At the Fakir Chand Bookstore in New Delhi’s Khan Market, copies sold rapidly following the launch, with owners noting that the volume of interest is unprecedented for a single title.
While online retailers did not disclose specific sales figures, they confirmed that search interest in the book is significantly higher than typically seen for political literature. According to bookstore reports, a large portion of the readership consists of individuals between 25 and 50 years of age.
The publication process itself faced scrutiny. Gandhi stated in an interview with The Guardian that Penguin Random House India had initially been slated to publish the book but withdrew after disagreements over editorial changes, with Gandhi noting that the publisher appeared uncomfortable with criticism of the government. In response, Penguin said that the project ended due to an inability to reach an agreement regarding standard editorial processes and fact-checking.
Within the memoir, Gandhi reflects on her political career and interactions with prominent leaders. Regarding former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, she expresses both personal respect and moments of introspection. She recalls the 1999 collapse of the Vajpayee government, noting that she attempted to form an alternative administration after the government lost a confidence motion by one vote following the withdrawal of support by AIADMK.
While she maintains that the government fell due to internal coalition fractures rather than her actions, she admits that her attempt to form a new government was a miscalculation and acknowledges that she should have heeded the cautionary advice of senior Congress leader Arjun Singh. She also recounts checking on Vajpayee’s safety following the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament, an act he reportedly later praised to his colleagues.
The memoir also details her perspective on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing a relationship marked by ideological conflict and political disagreement. Gandhi writes that their interactions are often limited to formal greetings and notes that she perceives a reluctance from the Prime Minister to engage in direct eye contact.
However, she mentions that he has inquired about her health following hospital visits and has sent formal greetings on birthdays and New Year’s.
While the memoir provides insights into Gandhi’s personal history, including her grief following the assassinations of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, it has drawn varying reactions. Some critics, including those from the Bharatiya Janata Party, have characterized the book as “whitewashing.”
Analysts have said that while the book covers significant historical events—such as the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the subsequent political fallout, as well as the rise of the BJP—it leaves several complex political questions unaddressed.
As Gandhi enters this stage of her life, the book serves as a reflection on her decades in public service, a period defined by her role as the longest-serving Congress president and her efforts to manage a political environment where she frequently faced challenges regarding her origins and leadership.