Sonia Gandhi recalls refusing the PM post after 2004 polls
In short
Sonia Gandhi said she turned down the prime minister’s job after the 2004 elections. She said alliance leaders pushed her to take it, but her children were worried about the dangers.
She said she finally said no and chose Manmohan Singh instead. She described the whole episode as hard on her and her family.
What the reporting says
Sonia Gandhi recalled deciding not to take up the prime minister’s post after the 2004 elections, after alliance leaders pressed her and her children raised concerns about the dangers of the job. She said she moved from initial hesitation to a final refusal and then nominated Manmohan Singh instead. She described the episode as emotionally taxing for her family.
Why it matters
Sonia Gandhi recounted her refusal to become prime minister after the 2004 elections, saying alliance leaders urged her to accept while her children worried about the risks. She said she ultimately stood by her decision and nominated Manmohan Singh. The account is a political reflection on a major leadership choice within the post-election alliance setup.