Home > Topics > Sonia Gandhi

Sonia Gandhi

Sonia Gandhi was born as Edvige Antonia Albina Maino. She is an Italian Born Indian politician and is currently the President of the Indian National Congress party, which is one of the oldest and most powerful parties in Indian politics. Sonia Gandhi was born in Italy and is the widow of former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi. She belongs to the third generation of the Nehru-Gandhi family. After the assassination of her husband Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, she was invited to take over the government but despite constant prodding from the party members, Sonia Gandhi refused and publicly stayed away from politics. However she agreed to join politics in 1997 and in 1998 she was elected as the President of Congress party. Sonia Gandhi has served as the Chairperson of the then ruling United Progressive Alliance in 2004 in Loksabha. She was re elected as the President for the fourth time in September 2010 making her the longest serving president in the 125 year history of the Congress party. Sonia Gandhi is the first since Independence and fifth overall foreign born person to be a leader in the Congress party. Sonia's foreign origin has been a part of controversy in Indian politics and soon after she became the president of the Congress party in 1998, three Congress party senior leaders Sharad Pawar, P A Sangma and Tariq Anwar challenged her right to try to become the Prime Minister because of her foreign origin. Sonia Gandhi offered to resign but there was a huge support within the party for Sonia Gandhi which led to the expulsion of the three rebels who then formed their own party called the Nationalist Congress Party.Sonia Gandhi was born on 9 December 1946 in Contrada Miani, Lusiana and she belonged to a Roman Catholic family with her parents Stefano Miano and Paola Miano. She lived in the village which is approximately 30 kms from Vicenza, Veneto in Italy where the Mianos have lived for generations. She studied in a Catholic school in Orbassano and then in 1964 went to the city of Cambridge to study English in a school under Bell Education Trust. Sonia Gandhi met Rajiv Gandhi at Varsity Restaurant in 1965 where she used to work whereas Rajiv Gandhi was studying at the Trinity College, Cambridge University at that time. Sonia and Rajiv got married in 1968 in a Hindu ceremony and then they moved and lived into the house of her mother-in-law and the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi has two children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Rajiv Gandhi worked as an airline pilot and Sonia took care of the family. Despite being a member of the Nehru family, the couple avoided all involvement in politics. Rajiv actually entered politics after the death of his brother Sanjay Gandhi in a plane crash in 1980. Sonia Gandhi became a primary member of the Congress party in 1997 and later became the President in 1998. In the Loksabha elections of 1999, she contested in two seats one from Bellary, Karnataka and another from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. She won both the seats and then chose to be a representative of Amethi where she had defeated BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. She was elected as the Leader of Opposition in 1999 and also called a no-confidence motion against NDA government in 2003.In 2004 Sonia Gandhi launched a nationwide campaign against the NDA government and following the unexpected defeat of the NDA she was expected to be the next Prime Minister of the country. However due to opposition from the NDA as well as legal issues Sonia Gandhi chose Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of the country. In 2013, she became the first Congress President to serve for 15 years continuously. In 2014 she contested and held her seat in Rae Bareli. Forbes powerful list ranked Sonia Gandhi 21st overall and 3rd most powerful woman in 2007. New Statesman listed Sonia Gandhi at number 29 in their annual survey of World's 50 Most Influential Figures in the year 2010.

Sonia Gandhi Admitted To Ganga Ram Hospital In Delhi Due To Respiratory Issues
Shrimansi Kaushik | January 4, 2023 3:57 PM IST
Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi on Wednesday
Sonia Gandhi Admitted To Ganga Ram Hospital In Delhi Due To Respiratory Issues
indiacom
2023-01-04T04:57:08+00:00
2023-01-04T05:33:33+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
From 'Rahul Ko Thand Nahi Lagti' To Kamal Hassan Joining Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra | Key Highlights
India.com News Desk | December 24, 2022 5:04 PM IST
Veteran actor Kamal Hassan is the latest celebrity to join Congress's padayatra. Former Congress
From 'Rahul Ko Thand Nahi Lagti' To Kamal Hassan Joining Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra | Key Highlights
indiacom
2022-12-24T06:04:19+00:00
2022-12-24T07:31:34+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
No Corona Here! Congress Continues Yatra Shoulder-To-Shoulder Without Mask In Delhi. WATCH
Analiza Pathak | December 24, 2022 11:35 AM IST
The yatra entered Delhi from Haryana Saturday morning and was accorded a warm welcome at the
No Corona Here! Congress Continues Yatra Shoulder-To-Shoulder Without Mask In Delhi. WATCH
indiacom
2022-12-24T00:35:19+00:00
2022-12-24T00:35:19+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
What Happened When Priyanka Gandhi Met Her Father’s Murder Convict In Jail?
Tahir Qureshi | November 13, 2022 9:18 PM IST
Nalini, on Sunday, said that Rajiv Gandhi's daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra came to meet her at the
What Happened When Priyanka Gandhi Met Her Father’s Murder Convict In Jail?
indiacom
2022-11-13T10:18:29+00:00
2022-11-13T10:18:29+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Kharge To Take Charge As Congress President On October 26; PM Modi Sends Wishes | Highlights
India.com News Desk | October 19, 2022 9:10 AM IST
Congress Presidential Poll Results Highlights: Mallikarjun Kharge emerged victorious after polls
Kharge To Take Charge As Congress President On October 26; PM Modi Sends Wishes | Highlights
indiacom
2022-10-18T22:10:12+00:00
2022-10-19T09:04:11+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Kharge Becomes New Congress President — First Non-Gandhi Party Chief After 24 Years; Tharoor Reacts
India.com News Desk | October 19, 2022 1:56 PM IST
Mallikarjun Kharge has registered thumping victory in the Congress presidential elections with 7897
Kharge Becomes New Congress President — First Non-Gandhi Party Chief After 24 Years; Tharoor Reacts
indiacom
2022-10-19T02:56:44+00:00
2022-10-19T03:38:35+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Kharge vs Tharoor: Congress Choose Between Change or Continuity Today, Voting Ends
India.com News Desk | October 17, 2022 7:21 AM IST
Congress Presidential Polls Updates: Voting for the post of AICC chief, was at the AICC
Kharge vs Tharoor: Congress Choose Between Change or Continuity Today, Voting Ends
indiacom
2022-10-16T20:21:05+00:00
2022-10-17T06:05:48+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Congress President Polls: It's Tharoor vs Kharge Today; Stage Set For Non-Gandhi To Lead Party After 24 Years
Tahir Qureshi | October 16, 2022 5:55 PM IST
Congress Presidential Polls: Madhusudan Mistry, Central Election Authority Chairman of Congress on
Congress President Polls: It's Tharoor vs Kharge Today; Stage Set For Non-Gandhi To Lead Party After 24 Years
indiacom
2022-10-16T06:55:40+00:00
2022-10-16T13:09:50+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
How Mulayam Singh Yadav Shattered Sonia Gandhi's Dream Of Becoming PM
Anurag Kumar | October 11, 2022 10:13 AM IST
The veteran leader breathed his last on Monday morning in Gurugram's Medanta Hospital. Political
How Mulayam Singh Yadav Shattered Sonia Gandhi's Dream Of Becoming PM
indiacom
2022-10-10T23:13:54+00:00
2022-10-10T23:20:12+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Bharat Jodo Yatra: Rahul Gandhi Ties Sonia's Shoelaces As Others Pause To Witness The Mother-Son Moment
India.com News Desk | October 6, 2022 12:35 PM IST
This is the first time that Sonia Gandhi has joined a public event after recovering from COVID-19
Bharat Jodo Yatra: Rahul Gandhi Ties Sonia's Shoelaces As Others Pause To Witness The Mother-Son Moment
indiacom
2022-10-06T01:35:47+00:00
2022-10-06T02:06:54+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
WATCH: Rahul Gandhi Addresses Public Rally Amid Rain In Mysuru, Sonia Gandhi To Join Bharat Jodo Yatra On Thursday
India.com News Desk | October 2, 2022 9:31 PM IST
Senior Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday addressed a public rally amid heavy
WATCH: Rahul Gandhi Addresses Public Rally Amid Rain In Mysuru, Sonia Gandhi To Join Bharat Jodo Yatra On Thu
indiacom
2022-10-02T10:31:47+00:00
2022-10-02T10:32:46+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Congress President Election: Mallikarjun Kharge Enters The Race, Reports
India.com News Desk | September 30, 2022 8:24 AM IST
According to reports, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has the backing of the Gandhis.
Congress President Election: Mallikarjun Kharge Enters The Race, Reports
indiacom
2022-09-29T21:24:32+00:00
2022-09-29T21:43:24+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Rajasthan Congress Political Crisis: Over 90 MLAs of Gehlot Camp Threaten To Quit, Meet Speaker
Victor Dasgupta | September 25, 2022 9:33 PM IST
Over 90 MLAs of the Ashok Gehlot camp are on way to meet the Speaker saying they want to resign.
Rajasthan Congress Political Crisis: Over 90 MLAs of Gehlot Camp Threaten To Quit, Meet Speaker
indiacom
2022-09-25T10:33:52+00:00
2022-09-25T12:52:01+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Operation Opposition Unity: Sonia Gandhi Asks Nitish Kumar And Lalu Yadav To Meet Again After Congress Internal Election
India.com News Desk | September 25, 2022 7:50 PM IST
In the run-up to the mega electoral battle of 2024, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD
Operation Opposition Unity: Sonia Gandhi Asks Nitish Kumar And Lalu Yadav To Meet Again After Congress Intern
indiacom
2022-09-25T08:50:14+00:00
2022-09-25T08:50:14+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Sonia Gandhi's Mother Passes Away; President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi Express Grief
India.com News Desk | August 31, 2022 5:20 PM IST
"Smt. Sonia Gandhi's mother, Mrs. Paola Maino passed away at her home in Italy on Saturday the 27th
Sonia Gandhi's Mother Passes Away; President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi Express Grief
indiacom
2022-08-31T06:20:00+00:00
2022-08-31T10:09:37+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Congress President Election On October 17, Counting On October 19. More Details Here
India.com News Desk | August 28, 2022 4:08 PM IST
Filing of nominations for Congress president's election to begin on Sept 24, last date Sept 30:
Congress President Election On October 17, Counting On October 19. More Details Here
indiacom
2022-08-28T05:08:38+00:00
2022-08-28T05:42:06+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
'Reforms, Suggestions Lying in AICC Storeroom': 10 Highlights From Ghulam Nabi Azad's Resignation Letter
India.com News Desk | August 26, 2022 1:58 PM IST
Filing of nominations for Congress president's election to begin on Sept 24, last date Sept 30:
'Reforms, Suggestions Lying in AICC Storeroom': 10 Highlights From Ghulam Nabi Azad's Resignation Letter
indiacom
2022-08-26T02:58:17+00:00
2022-08-26T03:31:02+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Ghulam Nabi Azad's Resignation Letter In Full Text | Read Here
India.com News Desk | August 26, 2022 1:34 PM IST
In his explosive resignation letter, Ghulam Nabi Azad called out Rahul Gandhi for Congress's dismal
Ghulam Nabi Azad's Resignation Letter In Full Text | Read Here
indiacom
2022-08-26T02:34:42+00:00
2022-08-26T02:34:42+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
Sonia Gandhi Offered Congress President Post To Ashok Gehlot? Rajasthan CM Responds
India.com News Desk | August 24, 2022 12:51 PM IST
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot responded to reports that he was offered the post of Congress president
Sonia Gandhi Offered Congress President Post To Ashok Gehlot? Rajasthan CM Responds
indiacom
2022-08-24T01:51:03+00:00
2022-08-24T01:51:03+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com
BJP-JDU Alliance May Break In Bihar; JDU-RJD Can Form Government: Reports
India.com News Desk | August 8, 2022 10:09 PM IST
The ruling JDU-BJP alliance may break once again in Bihar.
BJP-JDU Alliance May Break In Bihar; JDU-RJD Can Form Government: Reports
indiacom
2022-08-08T11:09:39+00:00
2022-08-08T11:09:39+00:00
Sonia Gandhi
India.com