Penguin Random House India issued a formal statement on Friday clarifying that it is not the publisher of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love.' The announcement comes amidst a backdrop of heightened political tension between the Congress party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with both sides trading accusations regarding the book's publication status.

While the publisher’s statement was brief, the surrounding political climate has been characterized by claims of external pressure. Congress representatives have suggested that the decision to distance the publishing house from the project is the result of political interference, while BJP figures have engaged in the discourse by questioning the legitimacy of the book's release. The publisher did not provide further details regarding why the title was associated with their brand or if they had ever been in negotiations for the manuscript. As of now, there is no confirmed publisher for the memoir, leaving the status of the project uncertain. The lack of clarity from the publisher has fueled speculation, with political analysts noting that the incident reflects the broader climate of scrutiny surrounding political figures and their literary projects in India.