In her memoir "Belonging: A Journey of Love", Congress leader Sonia Gandhi recalls a conversation with former president Pranab Mukherjee in 2010 where he hinted at his long-held desire to become prime minister. Mukherjee expressed his frustration about differences with finance minister P Chidambaram and suggested that it might be time for "a change at the top", which Gandhi interpreted as a reference to him becoming prime minister. However, she changed the subject to avoid any misunderstanding that could weaken their government. The book also addresses allegations of Gandhi wielding real power during the UPA years, with media reports suggesting she interfered with administrative matters and made key appointments. Gandhi denies these claims, stating that she always adhered to rules and followed proper procedures. She also notes that Mukherjee was later nominated as the UPA's presidential candidate in 2012 and elected to the country's highest office. The book begins with an inscription from the Rig Veda emphasizing unity and harmony, reflecting the "unspoken division of responsibility" between Gandhi and Manmohan Singh during their tenure as party president and prime minister respectively. A core group consisting of Mukherjee, Arjun Singh, AK Antony, and Ahmed Patel met regularly to ensure coordination between the party and the government.