She also founded the news magazine Surya which later played an instrumental role in promoting Congress party after its defeat in 1977 elections. This magazine often contained interviews of Indira Gandhi.
With Maneka's help Sanjay Gandhi was able to bring the Congress party back to power within three years.
Maneka was just 23 years old and her son, just 100 days old, when Sanjay died in an air crash. Sanjay Gandhi's body was severely mutilated. Thus Maneka was not allowed to see him till his body was stitched up.
After Sanjay's death, Maneka's bond with her mother- in- law severed. They would constantly argue with each other.
