Lessons we can draw from Sonia Gandhi's incredible life and work, reflects Ashok Gehlot

“I have always been clear in my mind and I have said this a number of times that my goal or aspiration was never to become the Prime Minister. I was also clear that if ever a situation as we are faced with today developed, I would go by my conscience. Today my conscience asks me to turn down the honour you have offered with gratitude and humility”.

Those words of Sonia Gandhi still ring in many ears. She had uttered these words on May 18, 2004 when the entire country was looking at her as the next Prime Minister. To renounce the office of the Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world was not just unexpected but has no parallel. But by firmly turning down the pleas to lead the nation, she signaled that politics for her was meant to serve the country, something that the Nehru-Gandhi family has done for long.

Indeed, she and her husband had shown no inclination for politics. Rajiv Gandhi Ji was a pilot by profession and though the couple lived with Indira Ji, the then Prime Minister, they were content to shun the limelight. Sonia Ji was only 21 years old when she came to this country as a bride and in no time, she had adopted Indian ways of life and embraced its culture. She developed a close bond with her mother-in-law and helped her run the household and attend to guests.

But even after the tragic death of Indira Ji’s younger son Sanjay Gandhi in a plane mishap, they were reluctant to get into politics. But circumstances were such that till then apolitical Rajiv Ji had to step in to serve the country.

The next 12 years were tough years for Sonia Ji and the country. This was the period when both Indira Ji and Rajiv Ji were assassinated. The twin tragedies were traumatic and broke her emotionally. She withdrew into a shell and refused to join the Congress or lead it.

Following the electoral loss in 1996 Congress plunged into a deep crisis. The party needed her and she finally relented and became a member of the Congress in 1997. She had the advantage of having observed the party and she knew the responsibility on her shoulders were onerous. When she took over the reins of the party in 1998, right-wing parties raised the question of her foreign origin. Clearly, they were aware of her potential and the threat to them that she posed.

“Can those who are raising fingers at my patriotism cite even a single instance when I acted against Indian culture or custom,” she had said at one of her rallies. This was a befitting reply to those who were trying to mislead the people. People overwhelmingly endorsed her and she won the Lok Sabha seat from both Amethi and Bellary.

In 2004 the ruling BJP had coined the slogan, India Shining, and were confident of winning. But it was Sonia Gandhi who campaigned tirelessly and showed them the door. Over the next 10 years, as the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi played a key role in formulating pro-poor policies and rights-based legislation. She showed remarkable courage of conviction in backing a legislation like the Right to Information. It was the UPA under her leadership which dared to make governance transparent. Her role in pushing the Food Security Act would also be remembered.

She has a deep understanding of public and political issues. She has the unique gift of building consensus and convergence and she has few peers who can match her skill in sorting out complications, differences and discord.

Her life has been dedicated to India. It is here that she found happiness and fulfilment. It is also India where she lost what was most precious to her. Through personal losses and heartbreaks, she has led India’s oldest political party with great distinction. She overcame challenges that came her way and put selfless service above power. The example set by her is an object lesson for our youth. May she live long.

(The writer is chief minister of Rajasthan. This article was first published in National Herald on Sunday)