New Delhi: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has addressed the long-standing controversy surrounding former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's leadership during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, asserting that Singh independently ran the government while she managed the Congress party.

In her recently released book, *Belonging: A Journey of Love*, Sonia Gandhi has opened up about the functioning of the UPA government and her relationship with the late former Prime Minister. Her remarks revisit the political controversy in which the BJP repeatedly accused Manmohan Singh of being a "remote-controlled Prime Minister" allegedly controlled by Sonia Gandhi.

‘Manmohan Singh Ran the Government, I Managed the Party’

In her book, Sonia Gandhi has categorically stated that Manmohan Singh was responsible for running the government, while she focused on managing the party.

She has also strongly rejected allegations that government files were sent to her for approval or that she exercised control over official decisions.

Calling such allegations unfortunate and completely false, Sonia Gandhi clarified that government files never came to her table.

She also recalled advising during government formation that senior leaders who had served the party for years should not be disrespected, particularly after the Congress returned to power following a long period in opposition.

Why Sonia Gandhi Did Not Become Prime Minister in 2004

Sonia Gandhi has also revealed that she had decided not to accept the Prime Minister's post months before the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

According to her, she discussed the decision with her children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and the family collectively decided that she would not become Prime Minister due to security concerns.

She said she therefore chose to lead the Congress party instead of taking charge of the government.

Why Manmohan Singh Was Chosen as Prime Minister

Sonia Gandhi has also explained why Manmohan Singh was selected to lead the UPA government.

She described Singh as an appropriate choice, particularly because of his role in liberalising India's economy in 1991.

According to her, appointing Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister also conveyed the message that she had no personal ambition to occupy the country's highest executive office.

The UPA government subsequently received support from the Left parties, helping strengthen its political position.

Sonia Gandhi's latest revelations have once again brought the political debate surrounding the UPA era, Manmohan Singh's leadership and the role of the Congress party's leadership into focus.