Editing Sonia Gandhi (section)

== Political career ==

===Rajiv Gandhi's premiership (1984–1990)===
[[File:President Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, Rajiv Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi.jpg|thumb|right|40th [[president of the United States]] [[Ronald Reagan]], Sonia Gandhi, First Lady [[Nancy Reagan]] and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, during a state dinner for Prime Minister Gandhi. June 1985]]

Sonia Gandhi's involvement with Indian public life began after the assassination of her mother-in-law and her husband's election as prime minister. As the prime minister's wife she acted as his official hostess and also accompanied him on a number of state visits.<ref>{{cite web|author=Rasheeda Bhagat|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/life/sonia-gandhi-ordinary-italian-to-powerful-indian/article2573884.ece|title=Sonia Gandhi: Ordinary Italian to powerful Indian|publisher=Thehindubusinessline.com|access-date=11 March 2014|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175543/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/sonia-gandhi-ordinary-italian-to-powerful-indian/article23031407.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1984, she actively campaigned against her husband's sister-in-law [[Maneka Gandhi]] who was running against Rajiv in [[Amethi]]. At the end of Rajiv Gandhi's five years in office, the [[Bofors scandal]] broke out. [[Ottavio Quattrocchi]], an Italian businessman believed to be involved, was said to be a friend of Sonia Gandhi, having access to the Prime Minister's official residence.<ref>[http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/jan/17spec11.htm Who is Quattrocchi?] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423120625/http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/jan/17spec11.htm |date=23 April 2016 }} Retrieved 23 March 2007.</ref> The BJP has alleged that she appeared on the voters' list in New Delhi prior to obtaining Indian citizenship in April 1983, in contravention of Indian law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19990512/ipo12039.html|title=BJP accuses Sonia of flouting law|date=12 May 1999|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 April 2011|archive-date=27 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527220243/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19990512/ipo12039.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="hinduonnet.com"/>

Former senior Congress leader and former [[President of India]] [[Pranab Mukherjee]] said that she surrendered her Italian passport to the Italian Embassy on 27 April 1983.<ref name="Citizenship">{{cite web |title=Introduction - Chapter 01 |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/71221/6/06_chapter%201.pdf |publisher=Shodhganga |access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref> [[Italian nationality law]] did not permit dual nationality until 1992. So, by acquiring Indian citizenship on 30 April 1983,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/79003577/|title=Rakesh Singh vs Sonia Gandhi on 14 February, 2011|website=indiankanoon.org|access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/article30252028.ece|title=A citizenship question|website=Frontline|author=V. Venkatesen|date=29 September 2001|access-date=21 May 2023|archive-date=21 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521081307/https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/article30252028.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> she would automatically have lost Italian citizenship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archivio.trentininelmondo.it/cittadinanza/come_si_perde_en.asp|title=Citizenship: How to lose it? |publisher=Trentini Nel Mondo|access-date=2 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107041529/http://archivio.trentininelmondo.it/cittadinanza/come_si_perde_en.asp|archive-date=7 January 2012}}</ref>

===Political debut and Congress presidency (1991–1998)===
After Rajiv Gandhi [[Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi|was assassinated in 1991]] and Sonia Gandhi refused<ref>{{Cite news|last=Weinraub|first=Bernard|date=24 May 1991|title=ASSASSINATION IN INDIA; Sonia Gandhi Declines Invitation To Assume Husband's Party Post|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/24/world/assassination-india-sonia-gandhi-declines-invitation-assume-husband-s-party-post.html|access-date=13 September 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=4 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904120012/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/24/world/assassination-india-sonia-gandhi-declines-invitation-assume-husband-s-party-post.html|url-status=live}}</ref> to succeed him as the Congress president and prime minister, the party settled on the choice of [[P. V. Narasimha Rao]] who subsequently became Prime Minister after winning elections [[1991 Indian general election|that year]]. Over the next few years, however, the Congress fortunes continued to dwindle and it lost the [[1996 Indian general election|1996 elections]]. Several senior leaders such as [[Madhavrao Sindhia]], [[Rajesh Pilot]], [[Narayan Dutt Tiwari]], [[Arjun Singh (politician, born 1930)|Arjun Singh]], [[Mamata Banerjee]], [[G. K. Moopanar]], [[P. Chidambaram]] and [[Jayanthi Natarajan]] were in open revolt against incumbent President [[Sitaram Kesri]] and many of whom quit the party, splitting the Congress into many factions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-the-sitaram-kesri-case-how-dynasty-trumped-ethics-1564149 |title=The Sitaram Kesri case: How dynasty trumped ethics &#124; Latest News & Updates at |work=Daily News & Analysis |date=10 July 2011 |access-date=30 May 2014 |archive-date=10 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175346/https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-the-sitaram-kesri-case-how-dynasty-trumped-ethics-1564149%20 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In an effort to revive the party's sagging fortunes, she joined the Congress Party as a primary member in the Calcutta Plenary Session in 1997 and became party leader in 1998.<ref name=elections.in/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/sonia-gandhi-re-elected-congress-president-unopposed-49389|title=Sonia Gandhi re-elected Congress president, unopposed|work=NDTV|date=3 September 2010|access-date=30 May 2014|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175420/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sonia-gandhi-re-elected-congress-president-unopposed-429920|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 1999, three senior leaders of the party ([[Sharad Pawar]], [[P. A. Sangma]], and [[Tariq Anwar (politician)|Tariq Anwar]]) challenged her right to try to become India's Prime Minister because of her foreign origins. In response, she offered to resign as party leader, resulting in an outpouring of support and the expulsion from the party of the three rebels who went on to form the [[Nationalist Congress Party]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-10-17 |title=From successive Lok Sabha wins to historic low: The rise and fall of Congress under Sonia, Rahul Gandhi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/from-successive-lok-sabha-wins-to-historic-low-the-rise-and-fall-of-congress-under-sonia-rahul/articleshow/94900541.cms |access-date=2024-06-06 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606133421/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/from-successive-lok-sabha-wins-to-historic-low-the-rise-and-fall-of-congress-under-sonia-rahul/articleshow/94900541.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9905/17/india.gandhi.01/index.html|title=India's Congress Party rallies for Sonia Gandhi|date=17 May 1999|publisher=CNN|access-date=2 February 2010|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175553/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9905/17/india.gandhi.01/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Within 62 days of joining as a primary member, she was offered the party President post which she accepted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/sonia-gandhi.html|title=Sonia Gandhi Biography – about, family and professional history, political journey and awards won|publisher=Elections.in|access-date=11 March 2014|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175452/http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/sonia-gandhi.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

She contested Lok Sabha elections from [[Bellary (Lok Sabha constituency)|Bellary]], Karnataka and [[Amethi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Amethi]], Uttar Pradesh in 1999. She won both seats but chose to represent Amethi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/28/stories/2004022807090400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040404174652/http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/28/stories/2004022807090400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 April 2004|title= A Congress bastion since 1952|date=28 February 2004|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref> In Bellary, she had defeated veteran BJP leader, [[Sushma Swaraj]].<ref>{{cite web|title=General election 1999, Candidate wise result|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/candidatewise/GE_1999.xls|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=26 March 2012|archive-date=17 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117191247/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/candidatewise/GE_1999.xls|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/ballari-saw-sonias-ls-debut-now-a-rally-here-to-mark-1000-km-of-rahul-yatra-8207106/|title=Ballari saw Sonia's LS debut, now a rally here to mark 1,000 km of Rahul Yatra|date=13 October 2022 }}</ref>

===Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha (1999–2003)===
[[File:Soniac.jpg|thumb|right|Sonia Gandhi as leader of opposition meeting with  42nd [[president of the United States]] [[Bill Clinton]] in 2000.]]
She was elected the [[Leader of the Opposition (India)|Leader of the Opposition]] of the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=130|title=Detailed Profile – Smt. Sonia Gandhi – Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha)|publisher=Archive.india.gov.in|access-date=11 March 2014|archive-date=2 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302234504/http://archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=130|url-status=dead}}</ref>

When the BJP-led NDA formed a government under [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], she took the office of the Leader of the Opposition. In 2000, she defeated [[Jitendra Prasada]] by a huge margin of 97% in the Congress President Election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-08-30 |title=Congress prez poll: When Jitendra Prasada challenged Sonia Gandhi and lost |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/congress-prez-poll-when-jitendra-prasad-challenged-sonia-gandhi-and-lost-122083000423_1.html |access-date=2022-09-23 |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012230442/https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/congress-prez-poll-when-jitendra-prasad-challenged-sonia-gandhi-and-lost-122083000423_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She had been repeatedly selected for the position without any election being held. As Leader of the Opposition, she called a no-confidence motion against the NDA government led by Vajpayee in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/LS-to-witness-26th-no-confidence-motion-in-its-history/articleshow/134440.cms|title=LS to witness 26th no-confidence motion in its history|work=The Times of India|date=17 August 2003|access-date=30 May 2014|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175329/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/LS-to-witness-26th-no-confidence-motion-in-its-history/articleshow/134440.cms%20|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Electoral success and NAC chairmanship (2004–2014)===
[[File:The Chairperson of the National Advisory Council, Smt. Sonia Gandhi calls on the President of the USA, Mr. George W Bush in New Delhi on March 2, 2006.jpg|thumb|right|Sonia Gandhi as NAC Chair meeting with 43rd [[President of the United States]] [[George W. Bush]] in 2006]]
In the [[2004 Indian general elections|2004 general elections]], Gandhi launched a nationwide campaign, crisscrossing the country on the ''Aam Aadmi'' (ordinary man) slogan in contrast to the 'India Shining' slogan of the BJP-led [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] (NDA) alliance. She countered the BJP asking "Who is India Shining for?". In the election, she was re-elected by a 200,000-vote margin over her nearest rival, in the [[Rae Bareli (Lok Sabha constituency)|Rae Bareli]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_2004/Vol_I_LS_2004.pdf|title=Statistical Report on General Elections, 2004 to the 14th Lok Sabha|publisher=ECI|page=308|access-date=24 May 2014|archive-date=18 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718190634/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_2004/Vol_I_LS_2004.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the unexpected defeat of the NDA, she was widely expected to be the next [[Prime Minister of India]]. On 16 May, she was unanimously chosen to lead a [[coalition government]] of 15 parties supported by the left, and it was subsequently named as [[United Progressive Alliance]] (UPA).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharya |first=Tathagata |date=2019-08-16 |title=Sonia Gandhi: the best bet |url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/sonia-gandhi-the-best-bet |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=National Herald |language=en |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606133421/https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/sonia-gandhi-the-best-bet |url-status=live }}</ref>

The defeated NDA protested once again about her 'foreign origin' and senior NDA leader [[Sushma Swaraj]] threatened to shave her head and "sleep on the ground", among other things, should Sonia become prime minister.<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://religion.info/english/articles/article_127.shtml Religioscope: India: politics of renunciation, traditional and modern – Analysis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816073926/http://religion.info/english/articles/article_127.shtml|date=16 August 2016}}; retrieved 9 December 2011.</ref>

The NDA claimed that there were legal reasons that barred her from the Prime Minister's post.<ref>{{cite news|author=Pioneer News Service|title=Whose inner voice?|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=VOTE_2004&file_name=vote941.txt&counter_img=941|publisher=CMYK Multimedia Pvt. Ltd|access-date=20 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070409085348/http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=VOTE_2004&file_name=vote941.txt&counter_img=941|archive-date=9 April 2007}}</ref>

They pointed, in particular, to Section 5 of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1955, which they claimed implied 'reciprocity'. This was contested by others<ref name="hinduonnet.com">{{cite journal|last=Venkatesan|first=V|date=June 1999|title=Citizen Sonia|journal=Frontline|volume=16|issue=12|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1612/16120300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110422100148/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1612/16120300.htm|archive-date=22 April 2011|url-status=usurped|access-date=12 December 2011}}</ref> and eventually the suits were dismissed by the [[Supreme Court of India]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Sonia-is-Indian-rules-SC/articleshow/1303524221.cms|title=Sonia is Indian, rules SC|work=The Times of India|date=13 September 2001|access-date=26 May 2014|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175414/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Sonia-is-Indian-rules-SC/articleshow/1303524221.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

A few days after the election, Gandhi recommended [[Manmohan Singh]] as her choice as prime minister, which the party leaders accepted. Her supporters compared it to the old Indian tradition of [[Sannyasa|renunciation]],<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3727591.stm|title=Indian press lauds Gandhi decision|access-date=6 February 2008|date=19 May 2004|publisher=BBC|archive-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825025052/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3727591.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> while her opponents attacked it as a political stunt.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3546851.stm|title=Profile: Sonia Gandhi|access-date=6 July 2008|date=23 March 2006|publisher=BBC|archive-date=29 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829001906/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3546851.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Manmohan Singh and his wife Smt. Gursharan Kaur with the Chairperson, UPA and National Advisory Council, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, at an Iftar party, hosted by the Prime Minister, in New Delhi on September 08, 2010.jpg|thumb|left|Sonia Gandhi with [[List of Prime Ministers of India|13th Prime Minister of India]] [[Manmohan Singh]] and his wife [[Gursharan Kaur]] at an Iftar party in New Delhi in 2010]]
On 23 March 2006, Gandhi announced her resignation from the Lok Sabha and also as chairperson of the [[National Advisory Council]] under the office-of-profit controversy and the speculation that the government was planning to bring an ordinance to exempt the post of chairperson of National Advisory Council from the purview of office of profit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/23profit4.htm|title='Hurt' Sonia quits as MP, chairperson of NAC|access-date=23 March 2006|archive-date=9 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109173509/http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/23profit4.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> She was re-elected from her constituency Rae Bareli in May 2006 by a margin of over 400,000 votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/uttar-pradesh/parliamentary-constituencies/rae-bareli.html|title=Rae Bareli Lok Sabha|work=Elections.in|access-date=21 May 2014|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175608/http://www.elections.in/uttar-pradesh/parliamentary-constituencies/rae-bareli.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/election/2006/may/11prae.htm|title=Sonia strides to victory with record margin|work=Rediff|date=11 May 2006|archive-date=10 January 2019|access-date=24 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175605/https://www.rediff.com/election/2006/may/11prae.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

As chairperson of the National Advisory Committee and the UPA, she played an important role in making the [[National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme]] and the [[Right to Information Act]] into law.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050819/nation.htm#22 Employment Bill not a populist measure: Sonia]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307153756/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050819/nation.htm|date=7 March 2016}}; retrieved 13 July 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/19/stories/2005051912690500.htm After RTI success, it's right to work] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207222848/http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/19/stories/2005051912690500.htm |date=7 December 2013}}; retrieved 13 July 2007.</ref>

She addressed the United Nations on 2 October 2007, [[Mahatma Gandhi]]'s birth anniversary which is observed as the international day of non-violence after a UN resolution passed on 15 July 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-10-02/us/27951545_1_collective-failure-violence-mahatma-gandhi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106041157/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-10-02/us/27951545_1_collective-failure-violence-mahatma-gandhi|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2012|title=Sonia Gandhi raises disarmament issue at UN meet|access-date=2 October 2007|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=2 October 2007}}</ref>

Under her leadership, the Congress-led UPA won a decisive majority in the 2009 general elections with [[Manmohan Singh]] as the Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8062815.stm|title=India's new government sworn in|work=BBC News|date=22 May 2009|access-date=24 May 2014|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8062815.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The Congress itself won 206 Lok Sabha seats, which was then the highest total by any party since 1991.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/hail-to-the-chief-sonia-spurs-cong-to-new-heights/article1-1024780.aspx|title=Hail to the chief: Sonia spurs Cong to new heights|work=Hindustan Times|date=11 March 2013|access-date=24 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525233858/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/hail-to-the-chief-sonia-spurs-cong-to-new-heights/article1-1024780.aspx|archive-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> She was re-elected to a third term as a member of parliament representing Rae Bareli.<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Winning candidates Final|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/press/List%20of%20Winning%20Candidated%20Final%20for%2016th%20May.pdf|page=8|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=26 March 2012|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175359/https://eci.gov.in/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, Gandhi became the first person to serve as Congress President for 15 years consecutively.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/d9yxVh9bSDMIoKACEGjrtL/Sonia-Gandhi-completes-15-years-as-Congress-president.html|title=Sonia Gandhi completes 15 years as Congress president|work=Livemint|date=13 March 2013|access-date=25 May 2014|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175427/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/d9yxVh9bSDMIoKACEGjrtL/Sonia-Gandhi-completes-15-years-as-Congress-president.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year, Gandhi condemned the Supreme Court judgement supporting [[Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code]] and backed LGBT rights.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/disappointed-over-court-ruling-on-gay-rights-sonia-gandhi-113121200300_1.html|title= Disappointed over court ruling on gay rights: Sonia Gandhi|newspaper= Business Standard India|date= 12 December 2013|access-date= 12 December 2013|archive-date= 10 January 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175556/https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/disappointed-over-court-ruling-on-gay-rights-sonia-gandhi-113121200300_1.html|url-status= live}}</ref>

===Leaving active politics and Rajya Sabha (2014–present)===
In the [[2014 Indian general election|2014 general election]], she held her seat in Rae Bareli.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/sonia-gandhi-wins-by-over-3-52-lakh-votes/|title=Sonia Gandhi wins by over 3.52 lakh votes|work=The Indian Express|date=16 May 2014|access-date=24 May 2014|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175600/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/sonia-gandhi-wins-by-over-3-52-lakh-votes/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the Indian National Congress and the Congress-led UPA electoral alliance suffered their worst result in a general election ever, winning only 44 and 59 seats respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/standpoint-after-its-worst-defeat-ever-in-lok-sabha-elections-what-can-congress-do-to-recover-1989703|title=After its worst defeat ever in Lok Sabha elections, what can Congress do to recover?|work=Daily News & Analysis|date=19 May 2014|access-date=21 May 2014|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175352/https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/standpoint-after-its-worst-defeat-ever-in-lok-sabha-elections-what-can-congress-do-to-recover-1989703|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/472411/the-worst-defeat-where-the-congress-went-wrong.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521190800/http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/472411/the-worst-defeat-where-the-congress-went-wrong.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 May 2014|title=The worst defeat: Where the Congress went wrong|work=IBN Live|date=17 May 2014|access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://electionsdata.ndtv.com/2014/graphics/dtype/dtype_india.html?paperheight=55&paperwidth=99.5&width=360&height=180&share=1&shlogo=1&showga=1|title=Results|work=NDTV|access-date=21 May 2014|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175408/http://electionsdata.ndtv.com/2014/graphics/dtype/dtype_india.html?paperheight=55&paperwidth=99.5&width=360&height=180&share=1&shlogo=1&showga=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:The Chairperson, National Advisory Council, Smt. Sonia Gandhi with the King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Bhutan Queen, Her Majesty Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, in New Delhi on January 07, 2014.jpg|thumb|right|Sonia Gandhi with King of Bhutan [[Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck]] and Queen [[Jetsun Pema]] in 2014.]]
When Rahul Gandhi was expected to take over as Congress president, [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] leader [[Sitaram Yechury]] picked Sonia over Rahul, calling her the "glue that binds the opposition"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/sonia-glue-that-keeps-oppn-united-rahul-gandhi-will-break-it-sitaram-yechury-forecasts-doom-and-gloom-for-bjp-rivals/929880/|title=Sonia glue that keeps Oppn united; Rahul Gandhi will break it, Sitaram Yechury forecasts doom and gloom for BJP rivals|date=12 November 2017|work=[[The Financial Express (India)|Financial Express]]|access-date=12 November 2017|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175341/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/sonia-glue-that-keeps-oppn-united-rahul-gandhi-will-break-it-sitaram-yechury-forecasts-doom-and-gloom-for-bjp-rivals/929880/|url-status=live}}</ref> during an interview November 2017. Rahul took over as the 49th Congress president on 16 December 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rahul Gandhi takes over as Congress president|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rahul-gandhi-takes-over-as-congress-president/articleshow/62093451.cms|date=16 December 2017|access-date=12 November 2017|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175531/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rahul-gandhi-takes-over-as-congress-president/articleshow/62093451.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-takes-charge-as-congress-president-from-mother-sonia-today-1788506|title=Rahul Gandhi Takes Over As Congress Chief; New Start, Say Party Leaders|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=16 December 2017|access-date=16 December 2017|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175435/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-takes-charge-as-congress-president-from-mother-sonia-today-1788506|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gandhi returned to active politics for the Indian National Congress' campaign for the [[2018 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election]]. Having stayed away from campaigning for elections since 2016, Gandhi addressed a rally at [[Bijapur]], which comprised five legislative assembly constituencies; while Congress emerged as the second largest party in the election with 78 seats behind the BJP, the former won four or the five assembly seats from Bijapur.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/5GrqFGdzG44WfcjLejrN5J/Sonia-Gandhi-hits-campaign-trail-crosses-swords-with-PM-Mod.html|title=Sonia Gandhi hits campaign trail, crosses swords with PM Modi in Karnataka|work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Livemint]]|date=17 May 2018|access-date=8 May 2018|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175533/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/5GrqFGdzG44WfcjLejrN5J/Sonia-Gandhi-hits-campaign-trail-crosses-swords-with-PM-Mod.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/170518/sonia-gandhi-meeting-had-more-strike-rate.html|title=Sonia Gandhi meeting had more strike rate|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=17 May 2018|access-date=17 May 2018|archive-date=17 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517152640/https://deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/170518/sonia-gandhi-meeting-had-more-strike-rate.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Gandhi also played an active role in orchestrating a post-poll alliance with the [[Janata Dal (Secular)]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2018/05/16/karnataka-elections-how-deve-gowda-learnt-to-stop-worrying-and-trust-the-congress-again_a_23435665/|title=Karnataka Election: How Deve Gowda Learnt To Stop Worrying And Trust The Congress (Again)|last=Sethi|first=Aman|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=16 May 2018|access-date=17 May 2018|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110175456/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2018/05/16/karnataka-elections-how-deve-gowda-learnt-to-stop-worrying-and-trust-the-congress-again_a_23435665/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rahul Gandhi, taking responsibility for Congress party's second consecutive loss in [[2019 Indian general elections|general elections held in 2019]], resigned from the post of President on 25 May. Following the resignation, party leaders began deliberations for a suitable candidate to replace him. The Congress Working Committee met on 10 August to take a final call on the matter and passed a resolution asking Sonia Gandhi to take over as interim president until a consensus candidate could be picked.<ref name="2019 president">{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cwc-chooses-sonia-gandhi-as-interim-chief-of-congress/articleshow/70623767.cms|title=CWC chooses Sonia Gandhi as interim chief of Congress|newspaper=[[The Economic Times|Economic Times]]|date=11 August 2019|access-date=14 September 2019|archive-date=13 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813000342/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cwc-chooses-sonia-gandhi-as-interim-chief-of-congress/articleshow/70623767.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rahul-had-said-no-gandhi-but-congress-goes-back-to-sonia-gandhi/articleshow/70625074.cms | title=Rahul had said 'no Gandhi', but Congress goes back to Sonia Gandhi | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=11 August 2019 | access-date=11 August 2019 | archive-date=11 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811084950/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rahul-had-said-no-gandhi-but-congress-goes-back-to-sonia-gandhi/articleshow/70625074.cms | url-status=live }}</ref>

Following her appointment, Gandhi undertook a restructuring of the Congress' state units and appointed [[Kumari Selja]] and [[Eknath Gaikwad]] as the presidents of the party's Haryana and Mumbai units. Several other changes were also made in the party's organisational units in states slated for elections including Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.<ref>{{cite web| title=Loyalty: Sonia Gandhi sets new criteria for Congress reshuffle| url=https://www.asianage.com/india/politics/150919/loyalty-sonia-gandhi-sets-new-criteria-for-congress-reshuffle.html| work=[[The Asian Age]]| date=15 September 2019| access-date=28 November 2019| archive-date=28 November 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128144124/https://www.asianage.com/india/politics/150919/loyalty-sonia-gandhi-sets-new-criteria-for-congress-reshuffle.html| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Congress interim chief readies to reshuffle state committees|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/congress-interim-chief-readies-to-reshuffle-state-committees/articleshow/71731939.cms|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=24 October 2019|access-date=28 November 2019|archive-date=11 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311081853/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/congress-interim-chief-readies-to-reshuffle-state-committees/articleshow/71731939.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2020, Gandhi held a press conference where she demanded that Home Minister [[Amit Shah]] should resign for failing to stop the [[North East Delhi riots]]. She asked for the deployment of an adequate number of security forces.<ref>{{cite news |title=Delhi violence live updates {{!}} Register FIRs against hate speeches, HC directs Delhi Police |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-day-4-live-updates/article30919537.ece |work=The Hindu |date=26 February 2020 |language=en-IN |archive-date=29 February 2020 |access-date=2 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229153059/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-violence-day-4-live-updates/article30919537.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, it was reported that Sonia Gandhi supported Rajasthan CM [[Ashok Gehlot]] for Congress president to lead in the [[2024 Indian general election|next Indian general election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Darpan |date=August 24, 2022 |title=How Ashok Gehlot, not Rahul Gandhi, could be better off leading Congress into 2024 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/ashok-gehlot-rahul-gandhi-congress-president-2024-lok-sabha-elections-1992062-2022-08-24 |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913074412/https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/ashok-gehlot-rahul-gandhi-congress-president-2024-lok-sabha-elections-1992062-2022-08-24 |url-status=live }}</ref> But, Gehlot did not contest the election and Gandhi loyalist [[Mallikarjun Kharge]] elected as the new Congress president, defeating non-loyalist [[Shashi Tharoor]].

In February 2024, Sonia Gandhi opted out of the [[2024 Indian general election]] citing health and age-related issues.<ref name="mint 2024">{{cite web | title=Sonia Gandhi's letter to people of Raebareli: 'Won't be contesting Lok Sabha…' | website=mint | date=15 February 2024 | url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/will-not-contest-lok-sabha-elections-sonia-gandhi-says-a-day-after-filing-rajya-sabha-nomination-11707981857694.html | access-date=18 April 2024 | archive-date=18 April 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418212346/https://www.livemint.com/politics/will-not-contest-lok-sabha-elections-sonia-gandhi-says-a-day-after-filing-rajya-sabha-nomination-11707981857694.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Gandhi filed her nomination to contest for the [[2024 Rajya Sabha elections]] from [[Rajasthan]] to succeed retiring MP Manmohan Singh. During the nomination filing, she was accompanied by [[Rahul Gandhi]], [[Ashok Gehlot]] and other senior members of the party. Sonia Gandhi was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan on 20 February 2024 and took the oath in April.<ref name="Sonia Gandhi elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan">{{cite news |last1=The Hindu |title=Sonia Gandhi elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sonia-gandhi-elected-unopposed-to-rs-from-rajasthan/article67866770.ece |access-date=20 February 2024 |date=20 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220135027/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sonia-gandhi-elected-unopposed-to-rs-from-rajasthan/article67866770.ece |archive-date=20 February 2024 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

On 15 April 2025, the [[Enforcement Directorate]] filed a chargesheet against her in connection with the [[National Herald corruption case|National Herald case]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-15 |title=National Herald Case: ED files chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/national-herald-case-ed-files-chargesheet-against-congress-leaders-sonia-gandhi-rahul-gandhi/articleshow/120312540.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sonia, Rahul Gandhi Named In Probe Agency Chargesheet In National Herald Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/probe-agency-ed-files-chargesheet-against-sonia-gandhi-rahul-gandhi-in-national-herald-case-8170481 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref>