Neemuch:
Rahul Gandhi will return soon and will be among the people, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said today as suspense over his absence continues.
"Rahul Gandhi will come back soon and will be among people," the Congress President said while replying to a question here after visiting a number of villages battered by unseasonal rains and hailstorm in Madhya Pradesh.
Gandhi's comment comes days after the party gave indications that the Congress Vice President, who had gone on leave days before the beginning of the Budget session starting March 23, will attend the proposed mega Kisan rally of the party on April 19.
The party has been maintaining that Rahul has gone on a leave to reflect on recent challenges faced by the party.
Rahul has been associated with the land issue for quite some time and had launched an agitation from Bhatta Parsaul in 2011 that had culminated in the passage of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013.
The Narendra Modi government has sought to amend the bill riling Congress and some other opposition parties.
Seeking to paint the NDA government as "anti-farmer" on land ordinance issue, Congress is organising the rally in the national capital a day before the second half of the budget session begins.
There is a buzz in the party circles that Rahul could be back a week before the rally is scheduled.
Talking to reporters in Amethi on Saturday, the Congress President had said, "Both Rahul and Priyanka will be among you all very soon".
Rahul's absence has been questioned in media and in the political class. About ten days ago, posters had emerged in Amethi declaring that the local MP (Rahul Gandhi) was "missing".
Pasted at markets, railway and bus stations, the posters titled "Missing Amethi MP" asked people to launch a manhunt to find the "missing" leader.
There are indications from the party that once the Congress Vice President returns, the issue of leadership is expected to gain momentum.
After his return, Rahul is expected to take a call on when to assume the party's mantle, notwithstanding the fact that the schedule for organisational elections including for the President's post has been announced.