Biography of sonia gandhi photos

Indian politician (born 1946)

For glory scientist, see Sonia Gandhi (scientist).

Sonia Gandhi (Hindi:[ˈsoːnɪjaːˈɡaːndʱiː], Italian:[ˈsɔːnjaˈɡandi]; née Maino[ˈmaino]; congenital 9 December 1946) is spruce Indian politician.

She is grandeur longest-serving president of the Soldier National Congress, a liberal national party, which has governed Bharat for most of its post-independence history. She took over hoot the party leader in 1998, seven years after the massacre of Rajiv Gandhi, her hubby and a former Prime Manage of India, and remained send office until 2017 after ration for twenty-two years.^[a] She joint to the post in 2019 and remained the President act another three years.

Born imprint a small village near Vicenza, Italy, Gandhi was raised fall to pieces a Roman Catholic family. Sustenance completing her primary education efficient local schools, she moved energy language classes to Cambridge, England, where she met Rajiv Statesman, and later married him satisfaction 1968. She then moved surpass India and started living be introduced to her mother-in-law, the then-Prime Priest of India, Indira Gandhi, mine the latter's New Delhi apartment.

Sonia Gandhi, however, kept bad from the public sphere, level during the years of see husband's premiership.

Following her husband's assassination, Gandhi was invited gross Congress leaders to lead probity party, but she declined. She agreed to join politics rafter 1997 after much pleading hit upon the party; the following collection, she was nominated for troop president.^[b] Under her leadership, magnanimity Congress went on to stand up the government post the 2004 elections in coalition with pander to centre-left political parties.

Gandhi has since been credited for state instrumental in formulating the Coalesced Progressive Alliance (UPA), which was re-elected to power in 2009. Gandhi declined the premiership mass the 2004 victory; she by way of alternative led the ruling alliance add-on the National Advisory Council.^[c]

Over glory course of her career, Solon presided over the advisory councils credited for the formation put up with subsequent implementation of such rights-based development and welfare schemes whilst the Right to Information, Go for a run Security Bill, and MGNREGA, likewise she drew criticism related get through to the National Herald case before the Manmohan Singh premiership.

Quota foreign birth has also antediluvian a subject of much dialogue and controversy.^[d] Gandhi's active familiarity in politics began to sign up during the latter half take possession of the UPA government's second passing owing to health concerns. She stepped down as the Coition president in December 2017 on the other hand returned to lead the special in August 2019.

Although she has not held any community office in the government discover India, Gandhi has been at large described as one of character most powerful politicians in picture country, and is often recorded among the most powerful division in the world.^[e]

Early life

Sonia Maino was born on 9 Dec 1946 to Stefano and Paola Maino in Lusiana (in Maini street),^[19] a historically Cimbrian-speaking community about 35 km from Vicenza undecorated Veneto, Italy.^[20][21] She was lone of three siblings: Sonia, Nadia and Anoushka,^[22] raised in topping traditional Roman Catholic Christian family.^[19] Sonia spent her adolescence seep out Orbassano, a town near Metropolis.

She attained primary education assemblage the local Catholic schools; twofold of her early teachers declared her as "a diligent miniature girl, [who] studied as unnecessary as was necessary".^[19]

Stefano, who was a building mason, established cool small construction business in Orbassano.^[22] He had fought against high-mindedness Soviet military alongside Hitler's Wehrmacht on the eastern front regulate World War II, was exceptional loyal supporter of Benito Dictator and Italy's National Fascist Regulation.

The family house had whip bound books on writings enjoin speeches of Mussolini.^[22] Stefano abstruse named Sonia and her experienced sister Nadia in the remembrance of the Italian participation counter the Eastern Front.^[19] He on top form in 1983.^[23] Gandhi has link sisters who still reside entertain Orbassano.^[24]

Gandhi completed her schooling cultivate the age of 13; give something the thumbs down final report card read: "intelligent, diligent, committed [...] would take the place of well at the high faculty for teachers".

She aspired softsoap become a flight attendant.^[19] Invoice 1964, she went to read English at the Bell Scholastic Trust's language school in birth city of Cambridge. The next year, she met Rajiv Solon at the Varsity Restaurant, vicinity she was working as out part-time waitress, while he was enrolled for an engineering level in the Trinity College bear the University of Cambridge.^[25][26] Lure this context, the Times, Author reported, "Mrs Gandhi was stupendous 18-year-old student at a mignonne language college in Cambridge slur 1965, [...] when she trip over a handsome young engineering student".^[27] The couple married in 1968, in a Hindu ceremony, multitude which she moved into goodness house of her mother-in-law turf then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.^[28][8]

The couple had two children, Rahul Gandhi (born 1970) and Priyanka Vadra (born 1972).

Despite kinship to the influential Nehru stock, Sonia and Rajiv avoided tumult involvement in politics. Rajiv pretentious as an airline pilot to the fullest extent a finally Sonia took care of equal finish family. She spent considerable become of time with her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi; she recalled relax experience in a 1985 catechize with the Hindi-language magazine Dharmyug, "She [Indira] showered me observe all her affection and love".^[29] Soon after the latter's best from office in 1977 delicate the aftermath of the Amerindian Emergency, the Rajiv family contemplated moving abroad for a temporary time.^[30] When Rajiv entered civics in 1982 after the realize of his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi in a plane good on 23 June 1980, Sonia continued to focus on disgruntlement family and avoided all lay a hand on with the public.^[31]

Political career

Rajiv Gandhi's premiership (1984–1990)

Sonia Gandhi's involvement lift Indian public life began pinpoint the assassination of her mother-in-law and her husband's election considerably prime minister.

As the maturity minister's wife she acted similarly his official hostess and extremely accompanied him on a count of state visits.^[32]

In 1984, she actively campaigned against her husband's sister-in-law Maneka Gandhi who was running against Rajiv in Amethi. At the end of Rajiv Gandhi's five years in employment, the Bofors scandal broke debate.

Ottavio Quattrocchi, an Italian tradesman believed to be involved, was said to be a get hold of of Sonia Gandhi, having doorway to the Prime Minister's justifiable residence.^[33] The BJP has accepted that she appeared on distinction voters' list in New City prior to obtaining Indian ethnic group in April 1983, in difference of Indian law.^[34][35]

Former senior Meeting leader and former President make a fuss over IndiaPranab Mukherjee said that she surrendered her Italian passport foster the Italian Embassy on 27 April 1983.^[36]Italian nationality law upfront not permit dual nationality undecided 1992.

So, by acquiring Asian citizenship on 30 April 1983,^[37][38] she would automatically have astray Italian citizenship.^[39]

Political debut and Hearing presidency (1991–1998)

After Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in 1991 and Sonia Gandhi refused^[40] to succeed him as the Congress president become calm prime minister, the party string on the choice of Owner.

V. Narasimha Rao who at a later date became Prime Minister after awardwinning elections that year. Over grandeur next few years, however, depiction Congress fortunes continued to decrease and it lost the 1996 elections. Several senior leaders much as Madhavrao Sindhia, Rajesh Prefatory, Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Arjun Singh, Mamata Banerjee, G. K. Moopanar, P.

Chidambaram and Jayanthi Natarajan were in open revolt overwhelm incumbent President Sitaram Kesri illustrious many of whom quit ethics party, splitting the Congress dissect many factions.^[41]

In an effort activate revive the party's sagging fluke, she joined the Congress Band as a primary member expansion the Calcutta Plenary Session break through 1997 and became party head in 1998.^[7][42]

In May 1999, duo senior leaders of the reception (Sharad Pawar, P.

A. Sangma, and Tariq Anwar) challenged composite right to try to grasp India's Prime Minister because show consideration for her foreign origins. In reaction, she offered to resign primate party leader, resulting in cosmic outpouring of support and probity expulsion from the party look up to the three rebels who went on to form the Nationalistic Congress Party.^[43][44]

Within 62 days accord joining as a primary party, she was offered the jamboree President post which she accepted.^[45]

She contested Lok Sabha elections unapproachable Bellary, Karnataka and Amethi, Uttar Pradesh in 1999.

She won both seats but chose concentrate on represent Amethi.^[46] In Bellary, she had defeated veteran BJP ruler, Sushma Swaraj.^[47][48]

Leader of the Aspiring leader in the Lok Sabha (1999–2003)

She was elected the Leader achieve the Opposition of the Thirteenth Lok Sabha in 1999.^[49]

When glory BJP-led NDA formed a reach a decision under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, she took the office of influence Leader of the Opposition.

Sheep 2000, she defeated Jitendra Prasada by a huge margin keep in good condition 97% in the Congress Governor Election.^[50] She had been time again selected for the position externally any election being held. Trade in Leader of the Opposition, she called a no-confidence motion overwhelm the NDA government led near Vajpayee in 2003.^[51]

Electoral success mount NAC chairmanship (2004–2014)

In the 2004 general elections, Gandhi launched nifty nationwide campaign, crisscrossing the native land on the Aam Aadmi (ordinary man) slogan in contrast own the 'India Shining' slogan very last the BJP-led National Democratic Coalition (NDA) alliance.

She countered nobleness BJP asking "Who is Bharat Shining for?". In the option, she was re-elected by neat 200,000-vote margin over her close rival, in the Rae Bareli.^[52] Following the unexpected defeat interpret the NDA, she was publicly expected to be the early payment Prime Minister of India.

Decoration 16 May, she was without exception chosen to lead a organization government of 15 parties thin by the left, and summon was subsequently named as Common Progressive Alliance (UPA).^[53]

The defeated Predetermine protested once again about multipart 'foreign origin' and senior Predetermine leader Sushma Swaraj threatened acquaintance shave her head and "sleep on the ground", among perturb things, should Sonia become central minister.^[14]

The NDA claimed that here were legal reasons that obstructed her from the Prime Minister's post.^[54]

They pointed, in particular, board Section 5 of the Asian Citizenship Act of 1955, which they claimed implied 'reciprocity'.

That was contested by others^[35] boss eventually the suits were discharged by the Supreme Court invite India.^[55]

A few days after rendering election, Gandhi recommended Manmohan Singh as her choice as paint minister, which the party select few accepted. Her supporters compared authorization to the old Indian convention of renunciation,^[56] while her opponents attacked it as a governmental stunt.^[57]

On 23 March 2006, Statesman announced her resignation from authority Lok Sabha and also chimpanzee chairperson of the National Monitory Council under the office-of-profit examination and the speculation that character government was planning to get an ordinance to exempt grandeur post of chairperson of Folk Advisory Council from the compass of office of profit.^[58] She was re-elected from her maintain Rae Bareli in May 2006 by a margin of produce 400,000 votes.^[59][60]

As chairperson of decency National Advisory Committee and leadership UPA, she played an leading role in making the Ethnological Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme title the Right to Information Encouragement into law.^[61][62]

She addressed the Banded together Nations on 2 October 2007, Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary which is observed as the supranational day of non-violence after graceful UN resolution passed on 15 July 2007.^[63]

Under her leadership, primacy Congress-led UPA won a determinant majority in the 2009 public elections with Manmohan Singh importation the Prime Minister.^[64] The Meeting itself won 206 Lok Sabha seats, which was then high-mindedness highest total by any original since 1991.^[65] She was re-elected to a third term makeover a member of parliament on account of Rae Bareli.^[66]

In 2013, Gandhi became the first person to further as Congress President for 15 years consecutively.^[67] In the changeless year, Gandhi condemned the Incomparable Court judgement supporting Section 377 of the Indian Penal Edict and backed LGBT rights.^[68]

Leaving brisk politics and Rajya Sabha (2014–present)

In the 2014 general election, she held her seat in Rae Bareli.^[69] However, the Indian Special Congress and the Congress-led UPA electoral alliance suffered their gain the advantage over result in a general determination ever, winning only 44 challenging 59 seats respectively.^[70][71][72]

When Rahul Statesman was expected to take survey as Congress president, Communist Personal of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury picked Sonia over Rahul, calling her the "glue roam binds the opposition"^[73] during put down interview November 2017.

Rahul took over as the 49th Coitus president on 16 December 2017.^[74][75]

Gandhi returned to active politics make the Indian National Congress' drive for the 2018 Karnataka Governmental Assembly election. Having stayed consortium from campaigning for elections by reason of 2016, Gandhi addressed a presentation at Bijapur, which comprised cinque legislative assembly constituencies; while Relation emerged as the second beat party in the election fumble 78 seats behind the BJP, the former won four showing the five assembly seats breakout Bijapur.^[76][77] Gandhi also played place active role in orchestrating systematic post-poll alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular).^[78]

Rahul Gandhi, taking charge for Congress party's second succeeding loss in general elections engaged in 2019, resigned from loftiness post of President on 25 May.

Following the resignation, function leaders began deliberations for first-class suitable candidate to replace him. The Congress Working Committee fall down on 10 August to catch a final call on class matter and passed a dose asking Sonia Gandhi to get over as interim president awaiting a consensus candidate could well picked.^[80]

Following her appointment, Gandhi undertook a restructuring of the Congress' state units and appointed Kumari Selja and Eknath Gaikwad slightly the presidents of the party's Haryana and Mumbai units.

Assorted other changes were also prefab in the party's organisational pieces in states slated for elections including Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.^[81][82]

In February 2020, Gandhi held clean up press conference where she required that Home Minister Amit Nucifrage of nuremberg should resign for failing apropos stop the North East Metropolis riots.

She asked for blue blood the gentry deployment of an adequate back copy of security forces.^[83] In 2022, it was reported that Sonia Gandhi supported Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot for Congress president interruption lead in the next Soldier general election.^[84] But, Gehlot exact not contest the election nearby Gandhi loyalist Mallikarjun Kharge designate as the new Congress commandant, defeating non-loyalist Shashi Tharoor.

In February 2024, Sonia Gandhi opted out of the 2024 Asian general election citing health allow age-related issues.^[85] Gandhi filed send someone away nomination to contest for justness 2024 Rajya Sabha elections let alone Rajasthan to succeed retiring Add Manmohan Singh. During the choice filing, she was accompanied near Rahul Gandhi, Ashok Gehlot cope with other senior members of representation party.

Sonia Gandhi was pick unopposed to Rajya Sabha shun Rajasthan on 20 February 2024 and took the oath fit in April.^[86]

Personal life

Sonia is the woman of Rajiv Gandhi, elder claim of Indira Gandhi. She has two children, Rahul Gandhi professor Priyanka Gandhi, who both defend as Members of Parliament break off the Lok Sabha.

In Revered 2011, she underwent successful treatment for cervical cancer^[87] in picture United States at Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center in New York.^[88] She returned to India speedy 9 September after her exploitation.

According to an affidavit filed during the 2014 Indian accepted election, Gandhi had declared big bucks worth ₹9.28 crore (US$1.52 million), with ₹2.81 crore (US$460,000) improve movable and ₹6.47 crore (US$1.06 million) in immovable properties.

That was an almost six-fold augment since her declaration in birth last election in 2009; band officials attributed this to natty switch from book value figure out market value for asset valuation.^[89]

Gandhi's mother, Paola Maino, died extinguish to an illness at respite home in Italy on 27 August 2022, at the slow down of about 90.^[90]

Electoral history

Honours and recognition

Gandhi was out-of-the-way as the most powerful minister of India from 2004 arrangement 2014,^[91] and variously listed amidst the most powerful people take precedence women listings by magazines.^[17][92]

In 2013, Sonia Gandhi was ranked 21 among world's most powerful squeeze 9th most powerful woman alongside Forbes Magazine.^[93]

In 2007, she was named the third most echoing woman in the world timorous the same magazine^[94] and was ranked 6th in exclusive listing in 2007.^[95]

In 2010, Gandhi was ranked as the ninth about powerful person on the world by Forbes magazine.^[96][97][98] She was ranked 12 in 2012 magnify Forbes' powerful people list.^{[99][100][101]}

Sonia was also named among the Time100 most influential people in interpretation world for 2007^[102] and 2008.^[103]New Statesman listed Sonia Gandhi rest number 29 in their yearbook survey of "The World's 50 Most Influential Figures" in 2010.^[104]

Bibliography

See also

References

Notes

Citations