Sonia Gandhi Reflects on Difficult Alliance with DMK in New Memoir
Sonia Gandhi shares in her memoir the emotional struggle behind the Congress-DMK alliance amid memories of Rajiv Gandhis assassination.
New Delhi, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : In her memoir, “Belonging: A Journey of Love,” Congress leader Sonia Gandhi reveals the emotional turmoil she faced when deciding to ally with the DMK. This decision, she writes, was particularly challenging due to painful memories of her late husband, Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991 by the LTTE, an organization linked to some DMK members at the time.
Sonia recounts how the early 2000s saw a growing need for opposition parties to unite against the BJP-led government. However, the thought of collaborating with the DMK troubled her deeply. She recalls that during the 1991 elections, several DMK activists were believed to be supporters of the LTTE, the group responsible for Rajiv Gandhi’s death. Additionally, a report from the Jain Commission in 1997 accused a DMK leader of providing indirect support to Tamil militants, leading Congress to withdraw support from the then I.K. Gujral government.
Faced with these painful memories, Sonia questioned whether forming an alliance would betray Rajiv’s legacy. Ultimately, she reflected that if it were necessary to strengthen the opposition against the BJP, Rajiv might have supported the alliance. Recognizing the urgency of the political situation, she made the difficult decision to reach out to M. Karunanidhi for the first time, despite their language barrier. Their initial conversation was cordial, paving the way for further discussions.
As their relationship developed, Sonia and Karunanidhi found common ground on various topics, including art, literature, and Tamil culture. This understanding facilitated an agreement on seat sharing and electoral coordination, leading to the formal establishment of the United Progressive Alliance on May 4, 2004.
In response to Sonia’s memoir, DMK leader T.K.S. Elangovan stated that the Congress had no practical option but to ally with the DMK to effectively challenge the BJP in Tamil Nadu. He emphasized that while the DMK has always supported the Tamil community’s issues, it has never condoned the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.
This reflection in Sonia Gandhi’s memoir offers a rare glimpse into the tough decisions faced in India’s coalition politics following Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination.
