Sonia refuses to be PM

Sonia Gandhi has declined to become the PM despite leading her party to a stunning comeback in polls.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has declined to become the Prime Minister of India despite leading her party to a spectacular comeback in elections. A formal announcement is expected on Tuesday evening.

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Sonia Gandhi is reluctant to become India's next prime minister because of controversy over her Italian birth.

He said she had made known her decision to the party on Monday evening itself.

"She has taken the decision and the decision is final," a senior party leader said.

The source said the 57-year-old Italy-born widow of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had made known her decision to the party on Monday evening itself.

He said the toss-up to lead the new government was between senior leaders Manmohan Singh or Pranab Mukherjee.