Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 7: Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has alleged that India's democracy and institutions have suffered significant damage over the past 12 years under the BJP-led government, asserting that her party has little to learn from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

In an interview with The Hindu ahead of the release of her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, Sonia said the country's democratic institutions would require considerable time and effort to recover even after the present government leaves office. However, she expressed optimism that India would eventually return to what she described as proper governance.

"Over the last twelve years great damage has been done to the fabric of our country, our democracy and our institutions. Even after this government goes, it will take time to restore our systems back to health and great effort from political parties," she said.

Asked whether the Congress had lessons to learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political rise and the RSS, Sonia acknowledged that Modi came from a different ideological background but said there were several examples of political success within the Congress itself, including former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh and party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

"I don't think we have much to learn from the RSS," she said.

Sonia also rejected the suggestion that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) could have followed a different strategy if she had accepted the prime minister's post in 2004. She said the thought had never crossed her mind and described the UPA's experience as largely positive.

She said the arrangement had worked as a team, with Manmohan Singh leading the government and her leading the party.

Assessing the Congress's present condition and electoral prospects, Sonia alleged that the party and other Opposition groups had not enjoyed a level playing field since the Modi government came to power.

She accused the ruling establishment of exerting control over institutions, particularly the Election Commission of India, and alleged that mainstream media was being controlled. She also cited what she described as the government's financial strength and exploitation of religion as factors affecting the Opposition.

Despite these challenges, she said the Congress was continuing its political fight and making progress, adding that it remained resilient in the face of what she called an onslaught against the party.

Sonia further alleged that several recent elections had been stolen and said people were becoming increasingly aware of the issue. She said the Congress was working with like-minded parties and expressed confidence that the Opposition's prospects were improving.

Her memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, published by HarperCollins India, is a personal account of her life, with politics providing the background or framework. The book begins with her childhood in post-war Veneto, Italy, and traces her journey to Cambridge, where she met Rajiv Gandhi in 1965.

The memoir is scheduled for release on November 10.