Sonia Gandhi reveals why she didn't become Prime-Minister in 2004
What's the story
Speaking at India Today Conclave in Mumbai, Sonia Gandhi revealed why she chose not to become the Prime Minister even after leading UPA to power in 2004. Gandhi said she chose Manmohan Singh as the PM as she was aware of her limitations. She stated, "I knew my limitations. I knew Manmohan Singh would be a better Prime Minister than me." Here's more.
Rae Bareli
Will contest from Rae Bareli if party decides so: Sonia
Sonia Gandhi, who is a Member of Parliament from Rae Bareli, said that she would contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from the same constituency if her party decides so. The former Congress President added, "Whatever decision the party takes." 71-year-old Gandhi, who was Congress President for 19 years, was replaced by her son Rahul Gandhi in December 2017 after internal party elections.
Rahul Gandhi
Rahul knows his responsibilities, says Sonia Gandhi
When asked whether she advises Rahul, Sonia said: "I am there if he needs me. I try not to volunteer. He wants to revitalize the party by bringing in new faces along with senior leaders." She added, "He wants a balance of young and the seniors. It is not an easy task. But he...made it clear that he values seniors' role and contributions."
New Style
Congress needs new style to connect with people
Gandhi also feels the Congress needs to develop a new style of connecting with people at the organizational level. "We also need to look at a way of how we project our programmes and policies," she said. She was also candid in saying that she found more time for herself after demitting the post of Congress President which she held for 19 years.
Information
Rahul went to Italy during counting of votes in northeast
Reacting to criticism of Rahul Gandhi not being in the country during the counting of votes in northeastern states, Sonia said the Congress President went to see his grandmother in Italy for three days after he had done his rounds of electioneering.
More Time
I have more time for myself now: Sonia
Sonia Gandhi said, "I have more time for myself...to read and watch movies. I am also tiding up old papers of my mother-in-law (Indira Gandhi) and husband (Rajiv Gandhi). I will digitalize them." She also added, "The papers are letters written by my mother-in-law to her son (Rajiv) and his replies. They are of sentimental value for me."
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What about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's political role?
On her daughter Priyanka's political role, Sonia said till now Priyanka has restricted herself to managing Rae Bareli and Amethi constituencies during elections. "At the moment, she is preoccupied with her children. It is up to her, and one never knows the future," Gandhi said.
2014 Loss
We couldn't compete with Modi's 2014 campaign, admits ex-Congress President
Speaking on Congress's 2014 loss, she said besides "other issues", the UPA government faced anti-incumbency for being in power for two terms. "We were out-marketed. We could not compete with how Narendra Modi ran his campaign," she admitted. On Modi, she said," I don't know him as a person. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee's time, we were bitter opponents. But still, we functioned well."
Optimistic
Sonia optimistic that Congress would bounce back next year
Asked what advice she would give to PM Modi, Gandhi quipped," I wouldn't dare to advise him. There are many people around him to do so." She was optimistic about Congress bouncing back in 2019. "We are not going to let BJP/NDA win," Gandhi said. On the Congress's preparedness for 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Sonia said she wasn't fond of slogans and empty promises.
Congress Party
Congress isn't taking up soft Hindutva approach, claims Gandhi
"Don't lie to the people and promise what you can't implement," Gandhi said in an apparent barb at PM Modi. She rejected that Congress was taking up "soft Hindutva" approach. "Our opponents have branded us as a Muslim party. We have been visiting temples earlier too, but never made a show of it," she responded to a question on Rahul's temple-visits during Gujarat polls.
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What did Sonia say on Karti Chidambaram's arrest?
On the arrest of Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Sonia Gandhi said she wasn't aware of the details of the case. "One of the means of getting at political opponents by this government is starting cases against them," she charged.