Former BRS MP questions omission of Telangana Statehood stir in Sonia Gandhi’s memoir

Former Member of Parliament and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) senior leader B. Vinod Kumar has expressed surprise over the omission of any reference to the movement of Statehood to Telangana in the latest memoir of the Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, titled ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’.

Ms. Gandhi played a pivotal role in the political decision-making that ultimately led to the formation of Telangana. Her contribution to the Statehood process has been widely acknowledged in Telangana, particularly in view of the historic struggle and the aspirations of its people.

As the then Congress president and UPA chairperson, she recognised the deep-rooted public sentiment and the strength of a prolonged people’s movement, marked by years of protests, strikes and immense sacrifices. The Telangana Statehood movement witnessed the loss of more than 1,200 students and activists, whose sacrifices remain an integral part of the history of Telangana.

However, it is surprising that this historic chapter finds no mention in her latest memoir — not even a reference to the word ‘Telangana’, Mr. Vinod Kumar said in a statement on Wednesday.

The reasons behind the omission are best known to Ms. Gandhi herself. Nevertheless, the formation of Telangana remains a defining chapter in the political history of the country and an unforgettable milestone in the collective journey of its people, he noted.