Maneka Gandhi felt put down as staff called me 'Bahurani' and her 'Chhoti Bahu': Sonia Gandhi

In her book, Sonia Gandhi wrote it was refreshing to have a sister-in-law initially when 18-year-old Maneka Gandhi married Sanjay Gandhi, but "slowly atmosphere began to change". Sonia said staff addressed her as "Bahurani" and Maneka as "Chhoti Bahu", claiming Maneka "probably saw it as a putdown". She claimed Maneka at 23 sought major leadership role, which Indira Gandhi refused.