In July 2003, Sonia Gandhi presided over a Congress brainstorming session in Shimla. The meeting was called to prepare for the Lok Sabha elections the following year. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm and open discussion. The party leadership was beginning to realize the necessity of forming alliances with regional parties to oust the BJP government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Meanwhile, Sonia learned that some senior party leaders were discussing who should lead Congress in the elections. She was surprised to learn this. She had been Congress President for five years. She had traveled across the country, campaigned in...