BJP Criticizes Sonia Gandhi Memoir Over Bofors and Citizenship

The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized former Congress President Sonia Gandhi following the release of her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love. BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged the book fails to address the Bofors corruption scandal or the party's history of vote-bank politics, specifically regarding the Babri Masjid issue. Bhandari questioned the relationship between Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, claiming the silence reflects a mindset that contributed to Congress's electoral losses from 2014 to 2024.

Further criticism came from Haryana Power Minister Anil Vij, who questioned Gandhi's past eligibility for the premiership. Vij argued that her Italian citizenship would have precluded her from such a role, citing similar restrictions in the Italian Constitution. Other BJP officials, including CR Kesavan, accused the memoir of being an attempt to whitewash the history of the Indian National Congress.

In response, Congress leaders Salman Khurshid and Rajeev Shukla defended the memoir, accusing the BJP of applying a political spin to Gandhi's reflections. Separately, the BJP condemned remarks by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Imran Masood regarding Diwali, characterizing the rhetoric as anti-Sanatan and predicting it will lead to a rout in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.