Sonia Gandhi calls Emergency decision a mistake

Sonia Gandhi has called Indira Gandhi’s decision to impose the Emergency a mistake, saying in interviews ahead of her memoir’s release that pressure from Sanjay Gandhi and senior Congress colleagues shaped the decision. She said keeping Sanjay in check might have prevented much of the damage that followed, while describing Rajiv Gandhi as among the few around his mother who urged a different course.

Sonia Gandhi recounted that Rajiv advised his mother to wait for the next election, while Sanjay argued for action against the opposition during a family dinner. According to her account, Sanjay told Indira, “They must be stopped.” Sonia said Rajiv tried to confront his mother, but she refused to listen. These are her recollections of private family conversations.

In a separate interview, Sonia said the responsibility did not rest with Sanjay alone. She said some of Indira Gandhi’s senior colleagues also exerted considerable pressure and that few people around the prime minister, including Rajiv, held a different view. She said Rajiv relayed complaints and feedback he had heard from the public.

Sonia acknowledged that democratic rights were curtailed and habeas corpus was suspended...