Jaipur, September 5 (Daily Kiran) : Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, has raised concerns regarding the upcoming publication of Congress Parliamentary Party President Sonia Gandhi’s book. He claims that Penguin’s decision to withdraw is influenced by pressure from the Prime Minister’s office or the central government.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Gehlot criticized the publisher for delaying the release and making excuses. He pointed out that Penguin’s global parent company is ready to publish the book in other markets, raising questions about why it can’t be released in India.
“If the book can be published globally, why not in India?” Gehlot asked, asserting that the reasons provided by Penguin for the withdrawal have been exposed.
Gehlot further alleged that despite accusations of pressure from the Prime Minister’s office and the government, there has been no response from the authorities. He interpreted the silence as a ‘silent approval’ of the allegations.
Defending Sonia Gandhi, Gehlot emphasized that she is not just an ordinary political leader. He highlighted her 22-year tenure as Congress president, her role as the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, and her chairmanship of the National Advisory Council during the UPA government.
He credited her with several key initiatives from the UPA era, such as the Right to Education (RTE), the Food Security Act, the Right to Information (RTI), and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Gehlot also discussed Sonia Gandhi’s personal life and her connection to the Nehru-Gandhi family. He referenced the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the subsequent death of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, noting that Sonia faced significant personal losses before taking an active leadership role at the request of party leaders.
Addressing past criticisms regarding Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origins, Gehlot stated that such distinctions become irrelevant when a person is dedicated to the country they have adopted.
He recalled the criticisms faced by Sonia Gandhi upon becoming Congress president, arguing that her contributions and long political career should be evaluated based on her actions, not her background.
Gehlot claimed that even some individuals associated with the RSS and BJP privately admire Sonia Gandhi’s character and achievements, though they do not publicly acknowledge it.
He described Sonia Gandhi’s upcoming autobiography as a significant step in presenting her life and political journey. According to Gehlot, the book aims to counter misconceptions and allegations surrounding Sonia Gandhi and the Nehru-Gandhi family, particularly during the NDA government’s tenure.
He noted that both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have maintained their composure despite repeated political attacks and accusations against them.
Regarding the potential for the project to be assigned to a new publisher, Gehlot mentioned that several major publishers had contacted writers as soon as news of Penguin’s withdrawal surfaced. He stated that the arrival of another publisher was not unexpected and confidently announced that the book will be published on November 10.
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