Sonia Gandhi Reveals Why Rahul and Priyanka Opposed Her Becoming PM in 2004

November 10, 2026

New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has shared her experiences surrounding her decision to decline the Prime Minister’s post after the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) won the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. She explained that she was going through emotional turmoil at the time, judging by her responsibility to the party, personal apprehensions, and the lack of guidance from her husband, Rajiv Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi recounts the events of that time in an excerpt from her upcoming book *Belonging: A Journey of Love*. This excerpt has been made available to The Indian Express by HarperCollins India. In it, she recounts the 2004 negotiations with her family regarding the Prime Minister’s position, pressure from coalition leaders, and ultimately choosing Dr. Manmohan Singh as her successor.

Rahul and Priyanka did not want their mother to become Prime Minister

According to Sonia Gandhi, the possibility of her becoming Prime Minister was discussed between her and her children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a few months before the Lok Sabha elections. She explained that both children were opposed to the idea, as they had already witnessed two major tragedies in their family.

Sonia wrote in the book that when her children asked her if she would become Prime Minister if Congress won the elections, she immediately refused. Rahul and Priyanka believed that assuming the post of Prime Minister could pose a threat to their mother’s safety. They had witnessed the pain of their grandmother Indira Gandhi’s assassination and the brutal murder of their father Rajiv Gandhi firsthand.

Sonia did not give a clear answer during the election campaign

Sonia Gandhi explained that whenever she was asked about becoming Prime Minister during the election campaign, she avoided giving a clear answer. Her priority was to keep the Congress united and ensure the party contested the elections as a team.

She wrote that she didn’t want any leadership conflict within the party. Therefore, she kept her thoughts to herself and didn’t discuss them even with close associates. She was clear that carrying forward the legacy of Congress governments would require someone with extensive governance experience and unquestionable integrity.

Under pressure from coalition leaders, she said “OK”

After the UPA’s electoral victory, Sonia Gandhi was again faced with the question of accepting the Prime Ministership. She explained that a part of her mind was against accepting the position, while another part reminded her of her responsibility to party workers and voters.

She wrote that during that time, her feelings were constantly changing. Sometimes she was completely clear about her decision, and sometimes she was confused.

According to Sonia Gandhi, coalition leaders tried to persuade her to become Prime Minister several times. On one occasion, she felt pressured by their persistent insistence, and she simply said “OK.” However, the leaders mistook her words for an agreement to accept the Prime Ministership and began congratulating her before she could even finish speaking.

Rahul and Priyanka were upset by their mother’s decision

Sonia Gandhi explained that when Rahul and Priyanka learned that she had agreed to become Prime Minister, they were deeply upset. Both approached her with concern. According to Sonia, after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, her two children had considered themselves their mother’s protectors.

She wrote that she was already exhausted by the constant pressure from coalition leaders, and now she had to deal with the concerns of her children as well.

The issue of ‘foreign origin’ was feared to increase controversy in the country

Sonia Gandhi also cited the political climate in the country as a major reason for her decision. She said that she felt that her becoming Prime Minister could impact not only the Congress party but also the future of the country.

According to her, India needed a strong and capable government that could keep the country away from divisive politics and focus on development and progress. She wrote that one of her reasons for entering politics was that she feared that organizations affiliated with the BJP and RSS, if they came to power, could inflame tensions between communities and weaken the Constitution.

Sonia said that the BJP and its allies would raise the issue of her “foreign origin,” which could have created political tension in the country. She questioned how she could have accepted the post of Prime Minister despite the fear of harming the country she loves.

Announced her decision before Congress MPs

Sonia Gandhi stated that after considering all the circumstances, she had decided not to change her decision. At a meeting of Congress MPs, several members urged her to accept the post, but she stood her ground.

She stated that the post of Prime Minister was never her goal. Her objective was to protect the secular foundations of the country and the interests of the poor. Sonia told the MPs that the party had won an important battle, but the destination was still far away, and she would continue this struggle with full determination. He appealed to the MPs to understand and accept his decision.