Mother Has Right to Tell Her Story, Says Priyanka Gandhi, Defending Sonia’s Memoir
Congress MP says her mother remained silent for years in the face of criticism and allegations; BJP has accused the memoir of whitewashing controversial episodes in the party's history
WAYANAD— Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday defended her mother Sonia Gandhi’s newly released memoir, saying she has every right to tell her own story after years of criticism and allegations by the BJP, RSS and others.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to her Wayanad constituency, Priyanka Gandhi accused the BJP and RSS of spreading falsehoods and fabricating stories about her mother, and said she was glad that BJP leaders were now reading the book.
“For the whole of my mother’s adult life in India, the BJP, RSS and many others have said whatever they wanted about my mother. They have lied, they have fabricated stories and also invented stories about her, and she has been quiet. Now, she is telling her story, and she has the right to do so,” she said.
“It is good that they are ready to read it. For so long, they (BJP) have been telling lies about my mother, and now she is telling the truth. I am happy they are reading her book,” she added.
The remarks came during Priyanka Gandhi’s first visit to Wayanad since the release of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, on November 10.
The book, which chronicles Sonia Gandhi’s personal journey and her years in Indian politics, has sparked a political exchange between the Congress and the BJP.
The BJP has criticised the memoir, accusing Sonia Gandhi of attempting to whitewash controversial chapters in the Congress party’s history, including the Emergency and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Congress has defended her right to present her personal account of events.
Priyanka Gandhi is on a three-day visit to Wayanad, where she is scheduled to inaugurate development projects and review ongoing works in the constituency.
On Thursday, she visited the family of late Padma Shri awardee Cheruvayal Raman, a traditional seed conservationist, in Mananthavady. She was also scheduled to inaugurate two Smart Anganwadis at Kammana and Thrissillery.
Priyanka Gandhi represents Wayanad in the Lok Sabha. She won the seat in the 2024 by-election after her brother, Rahul Gandhi, vacated it to retain the Rae Bareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh. (Source: IANS)
