Sushma Swaraj had threatened to don a white saree, shave off her head, sleep on the floor and eat only chickpeas if Sonia Gandhi were to be sworn in as the Prime Minister of India.
In a highly emotional moment, former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had once vowed to live her entire life like a Hindu widow if UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi became India’s prime minister.
When the Congress won the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the grand old party backed Sonia Gandhi for the prime ministerial post, to which Sushma Swaraj strongly revolted. She had said that it would hurt her “sensibilities” if a foreigner would lead the country.
Sushma Swaraj had threatened to don a white saree, shave off her head, sleep on the floor and eat only chickpeas if Sonia Gandhi were to be sworn in as the Prime Minister of India.
“It hurt my sensibilities as even after culmination of British rule and the sacrifices made by fellow Indians, no (native) was there at that time to lead the country and a foreigner was being chosen,” Sushma Swaraj said targeting Italy-born Sonia Gandhi, according to a News18 report.
Sonia Gandhi had offered the post to economist-turned-politician Manmohan Singh.
Years later, when asked about her comment, Sushma Swaraj remained unapologetic and had said she would still do the same if Sonia Gandhi became the PM.
Sushma Swaraj fought the 1996 Lok Sabha elections against Sonia Gandhi from Bellary in Karnataka. “I lost the battle but won the war” were her words after she lost to the Congress leader.
Leave a Reply