Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Gehlot Alleges Pressure Behind Penguin Withdrawal From Sonia Gandhi Book
Ashok Gehlot said a publisher called Penguin stopped planning to release Sonia Gandhi’s book in India.
He believes the publisher was pressured by the government or the Prime Minister’s Office.
Penguin’s stated reasons were described by Gehlot as excuses.
He also said the company’s global parent was willing to publish the book elsewhere.
Other publishers reportedly contacted the authors after Penguin withdrew.
Gehlot said a new publisher would release the book on November 10.
He believes the book will explain Sonia Gandhi’s life and political work in her own words.
He also said it may respond to claims made about her and the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Ashok Gehlot alleged that government or Prime Minister’s Office pressure led Penguin to withdraw from publishing Sonia Gandhi’s book in India.
Gehlot said Penguin’s global parent organization was willing to publish the book in other markets.
He claimed several major publishers approached the authors after Penguin’s reported withdrawal.
Gehlot said the book would be printed and released by a new publisher on November 10.
He described the autobiography as Sonia Gandhi’s account of her life and political career, intended to address misconceptions and allegations.
- Who
- Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot discussed Sonia Gandhi’s forthcoming autobiography and Penguin’s reported withdrawal.
- What
- Gehlot alleged political pressure caused Penguin to withdraw from publishing the book in India and said a new publisher would release it.
- When
- Gehlot made the remarks on Saturday; he said the book would be released on November 10.
- Where
- The dispute concerns publication of the book in India, while Gehlot said the global parent organization would publish it in other markets.
- Why
- Gehlot said the book is intended to present Sonia Gandhi’s own account and address misconceptions and allegations about her and the Nehru-Gandhi family.
- Speaker
- Ashok Gehlot, former Rajasthan Chief Minister
- Author
- Sonia Gandhi
- Reported publisher change
- A new publisher is expected to take over after Penguin’s reported withdrawal
- Planned release date
- November 10
- Main allegation
- Gehlot alleged pressure from the Prime Minister’s Office or the central government
- Book’s purpose
- To present Sonia Gandhi’s life and political journey and respond to alleged misconceptions
- Political context
- The publication has become part of an ongoing political controversy