Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the BJP over its criticism of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’, suggesting that leaders in the ruling party were drawn to the book despite
publicly attacking it.
Responding to a question on why the BJP was discussing the book so extensively, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said its appeal was difficult to resist.
“Because it’s a great book. They are all reading it. They can’t resist reading it. And then they have got to comment on it. And a lot of them secretly like her and they think she is fantastic, but, unfortunately, they can’t say it,” Gandhi said.
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LoP Shri @RahulGandhi’s message to those commenting on CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji’s book, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love‘. https://t.co/8qnT00BnRH
— Congress (@INCIndia) November 13, 2026
He also urged BJP supporters to continue commenting on the memoir, arguing that the criticism was only helping its reach.
In a message shared on social media, he said, “And all you Bhakts, please keep commenting on her book. The more you comment, the better it does. Push it hard, be aggressive, be nasty because that’s what’s helping her.”
Also Read: Sonia Gandhi’s Memoir: The Stories She Told And The Questions She Left Unanswered
BJP, Congress Lock Horns Over Sonia Gandhi’s Memoir
Sonia Gandhi’s memoir has triggered a political exchange between the Congress and the BJP, with several of its recollections bringing contentious episodes from India’s recent history back into focus.
These include the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, the 2002 Gujarat riots, Operation Blue Star, the Emergency, the 2004 Prime Ministerial episode and the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare.
One of the most contested passages concerns the Babri Masjid demolition.
Sonia Gandhi recalls watching the structure being brought down on December 6, 1992, and breaking down in tears. She describes the incident as a turning point that reflected the growing influence of the BJP-RSS and their affiliates.
“There had been for several years clear indications that the BJP-RSS and their affiliates were single-mindedly advancing their divisive agenda. The tragic demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 and the ensuing spiral of communal violence were definite pointers: Those outfits were no longer going to work behind the scenes. The BJP was drawing closer to its dream of absolute power,” she wrote.
BJP leaders have criticised the former Congress president’s account, accusing her of selectively expressing grief and attempting to “whitewash” the Nehru-Gandhi family’s historical record.
Also Read: ‘Absolutely Not!’ Sonia Gandhi Says She Never Wanted To Be PM, Reveals Rahul-Priyanka’s Objections
Congress leaders, meanwhile, have defended her right to narrate her experiences and accused the BJP of politicising the memoir.
Published by HarperCollins India, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’ was released in bookstores across the country on Tuesday.
Its launch has drawn considerable reader interest, with Rajni Bahri Malhotra, owner of Delhi’s Bahrisons Booksellers, describing it as “one of the biggest books of this decade”.
With inputs from PTI
