Mehbooba Mufti Praises Sonia Gandhi’s Memoir, Defends Nehru’s Legacy and Criticises BJP
By : Alia Kashmiri
Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday praised Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi over her newly released memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, describing her as a woman leader who has endured extraordinary personal tragedies and demonstrated remarkable strength. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Mufti said she had witnessed Sonia Gandhi’s transformation from a political figure into a leader and stateswoman. She particularly praised her ability to overcome personal hardships, including the assassinations of her mother-in-law, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and her husband, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Mufti said Sonia Gandhi had endured immense emotional suffering, particularly while raising her children following the tragic deaths of their grandmother and father.
She described the memoir as a beautiful reflection of Sonia Gandhi’s personal journey, containing both happy memories and painful experiences.
“I have seen Sonia Gandhi evolving into a leader and then into a stateswoman. She has gone through a lot. In my opinion, no woman politician has endured as much as she has,” Mufti said.
Mehbooba Mufti Defends Jawaharlal Nehru’s Legacy
Mufti also strongly defended India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, criticising the BJP for its remarks about his political legacy.
She highlighted Nehru’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle, nation-building and the establishment of institutions following Independence.
According to Mufti, Nehru played a significant role in steering the country through the difficult period surrounding Partition, when communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims were widespread.
She said Nehru helped establish educational institutions, industries and essential infrastructure that laid the foundation for India’s development.
Mufti also referred to the Nehru-Gandhi family’s contribution to the country, pointing out that two members of the family, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, served as Prime Ministers and were assassinated.
She alleged that the BJP’s criticism of Nehru reflected its narrow political and ideological outlook.
Mufti Accuses BJP of Promoting Religious Polarisation
The PDP president further accused the BJP of promoting divisions between Hindus and Muslims, alleging that its political approach was driven by the ideology of the RSS.
Drawing a comparison between the political philosophies associated with Sonia Gandhi and the BJP, Mufti said Sonia Gandhi identified with Mahatma Gandhi, secularism and democratic values.
She described the memoir as an interesting account of the ideological differences between the Congress and the BJP.
Responding to questions about Sonia Gandhi’s long-standing portrayal as an outsider because of her Italian origin, Mufti said her sacrifices and contributions to India should be recognised.
She argued that Sonia Gandhi’s personal and political journey demonstrated her commitment to the country.
BJP Leaders Criticise Sonia Gandhi’s Memoir
Sonia Gandhi’s memoir has triggered political reactions, with BJP leaders questioning several of its claims and descriptions of historical events.
BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan criticised the book, suggesting that it should have been titled Whitewashing instead of Belonging: A Journey of Love.
He accused the Nehru-Gandhi family of attempting to defend its historical record and criticised the Congress party’s handling of several major political events.
Kesavan also questioned Sonia Gandhi’s references to the Babri Masjid demolition, the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, the Batla House encounter and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
He further criticised her account of the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, describing aspects of the memoir’s treatment of that period as shocking.
JD(U) Leader Questions Sonia Gandhi’s 2004 Prime Ministerial Claim
Meanwhile, JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha questioned Sonia Gandhi’s account of declining the Prime Minister’s position following the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking in Patna, Jha claimed that Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav had refused to support her candidature, arguing that the political circumstances surrounding the formation of the government were different from the account presented.
Congress Leaders Defend Sonia Gandhi
Congress leaders have rejected the BJP’s criticism and defended Sonia Gandhi’s reflections on historical events, including the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Congress leader Salman Khurshid said the demolition had been regretted by several political leaders, including former BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani.
He referred to their earlier statements to argue that opposition to the demolition was not limited to the Congress.
Congress MP Rajeev Shukla also accused the BJP of giving Sonia Gandhi’s memoir a political interpretation, arguing that several BJP leaders had themselves expressed reservations about the demolition at the time.
The controversy surrounding Belonging: A Journey of Love has once again brought historical political differences between the Congress and BJP into focus, with leaders from both sides exchanging sharp remarks over the Nehru-Gandhi family’s legacy, secularism and India’s political history.(ANI)
