Belonging A Journey of Love: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi shares personal memories of her relationship with Rajiv Gandhi and the tragic events in the Gandhi family.
The book recalls an unusual incident from the family’s Willingdon Crescent residence in the 1970s. According to Sonia’s account, a palmist once predicted that Rajiv, rather than his younger brother Sanjay, would become Prime Minister. At the time, politics was not part of Rajiv’s immediate plans.
Sanjay Gandhi died in a plane crash in 1980. Four years later, Indira Gandhi was assassinated, and Rajiv entered politics before becoming Prime Minister. Sonia recalls that she had urged him to stay away from politics because of the risks involved. She also describes the family’s concerns about his safety.
The memoir further recounts the family’s move to 10 Janpath in 1990, despite warnings about security. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991, around 15 months later. Through these memories, Sonia reflects on love, family, political responsibility and personal loss.