Back in 1999, Najma Heptulla recounts being made to wait an hour to speak with Sonia Gandhi over the phone. She was in Berlin at the time, having been elected as the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Eager to communicate the news, she attempted to call the then Congress President, only to be told by a staff member, 'Madam is currently busy.'
This revelation is a part of Najma's new autobiography, 'In Pursuit of Democracy: Beyond Party Lines.' Najma Heptulla describes this position as a historical honor for India in her book. She first informed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who received the call immediately and expressed his delight over the news. He was pleased that this honor was bestowed upon an Indian Muslim woman.
When Attempting to Speak with Sonia Gandhi!
However, when she tried reaching out to Sonia Gandhi, she faced disappointment. She was informed that 'Madam is busy' and had to wait an hour, but Sonia Gandhi never came to the phone. This incident proved disheartening for Heptulla, especially considering she had sought Sonia’s permission to pursue the position.
Discussions on Sonia Gandhi's Leadership Style
Referencing the incident, Heptulla wrote in her book, 'It was a moment in my life that permanently left a sense of rejection within me.' Having left Congress in 2004 to join the BJP, Heptulla stated that Sonia Gandhi's leadership style differed from the traditional culture of Congress. This created a gap, impacting communication and collaboration among the party's leaders and workers.
Served as Minister for Minority Affairs in Modi Government
In the first term of the Modi government in 2014, Najma Heptulla was appointed as the Minister for Minority Affairs. She believed that by the time Sonia Gandhi took over the party leadership, the traditional values and level of dialogue within the party had declined.
According to Najma Heptulla, 'Indira Gandhi was always accessible to grassroots workers,' whereas Sonia Gandhi's style was quite the opposite. Heptulla opines that due to Sonia Gandhi's style, the party organization was affected, leading experienced leaders to feel disheartened.
