New Delhi: In a highly emotional moment, former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had once vowed to live her entire life like a Hindu widow if UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi became India’s Prime Minister.

When the Congress won the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the grand old party backed Sonia Gandhi for the Prime Ministerial post, to which Sushma Swaraj strongly revolted. She had said that it would hurt her “sensibilities” if a foreigner would lead the country.

Sushma Swaraj had threatened to don a white saree, shave off her head, sleep on the floor and eat only chickpeas if Sonia Gandhi were to be sworn-in as the Prime Minister of India. “It hurt my sensibilities as even after culmination of British rule and the sacrifices made by fellow Indians, no (Indian) was there at that time to lead the country and a foreigner was being chosen,” Sushma Swaraj said targeting Italy-born Sonia Gandhi. Sonia had offered the post to economist-turned-politician Dr. Manmohan Singh.