“Sonia Was Madly In Love With Rajiv”: Abhijit Iyer-Mitra On Why He Loved Two Chapters Of Gandhi's Memoir Sonia Gandhi’s Belonging: A Journey of Love is not just a political memoir. It is also an intensely personal account of her relationship with Rajiv Gandhi. Speaking to Aditi Prasad, Abhijit Iyer-Mitra says the opening chapters of the book are emotional, heartfelt and raw - and reveal how deeply Sonia and Rajiv loved each other. He also discusses Sonia’s normal upbringing in Italy, her love of food and the extraordinary circumstances she entered after marrying into the Gandhi family. Watch the full podcast here - @prasadaditi @Iyervval #SoniaGandhi# #Belonging# #AbhijitIyerMitra# #Congress# #BJP# #1984Riots# #Godhra# #Emergency#

#WATCH# | Delhi: On air pollution in the national capital, Congress leader Sandeep Dixit says, "The situation remains almost the same as before. We have not heard of any substantial steps so far. I do not think the Delhi government is genuinely serious about this issue. This is not just Delhi's problem; it concerns the entire NCR. What steps are being taken across the region? Reports suggest that living in Delhi's polluted environment can reduce a person's life expectancy by seven to eight years. In my view, this amounts to institutional murder." On Sonia Gandhi's memoir and the Anna Hazare movement, he says, "I am thankful to Sonia Gandhi for her appreciation. She and Sheila Dikshit shared a close personal friendship. However, during the Anna movement, whenever Kejriwal made statements in our meetings, he would come outside and make completely contradictory claims. If a person's popularity allows him to present lies as truth and truth as lies, then such movements and fabricated campaigns will continue to emerge in this country." On Sonia Gandhi's remarks about Babri Masjid, the 1984 riots and Operation Blue Star, he said, "...The BJP tries to exaggerate every issue. Regarding the 1984 riots, there was involvement of the Sangh and several BJP leaders, with cases registered against some of them. The truth in each case is for the courts to determine. The Congress has always condemned communal incidents and has also condemned its own members where necessary. We even made efforts to deny party tickets to some of our leaders in connection with the 1984 riots. It is possible that Congress members were also involved, and the party has never denied that possibility..."