New Delhi:
Congress President Sonia Gandhi is unwell and is currently in America for treatment, said her party on Thursday. She has been operated upon. The party did not indicate any other details of Mrs Gandhi's health.
Congress spokesman Janardhan Dwivedi told the media, "Mrs Gandhi was recently diagnosed with a medical condition and upon the advice of her doctors, has travelled abroad for surgery."
Sources say her children, Priyanka and Rahul, are with her. Mr Dwivedi said that Mrs Gandhi could be away for upto three weeks, and that a caretaker team has been appointed to "look after the affairs of the Congress party". In a letter to her party, Mrs Gandhi said the four members of this group are Defence Minister AK Antony, Mr Dwivedi, Mrs Gandhi's son and party General Secretary Rahul, and her political adviser Ahmed Patel.
Rahul Gandhi is expected to return to India after Mrs Gandhi's operation. The fact that he has been named in the caretaker group for the Congress is being read by many as a response to the recent expression within the party for Mr Gandhi to play a larger role. A few weeks ago, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that he would be happy to step down for Mr Gandhi, but that the party had not discussed this possibility.
Who's been left out of the caretaker group is noteworthy and is likely to cause much angst and discussion within the Congress. Digvijaya Singh and Pranab Mukherjee, both known for their proximity to the Gandhis, have not been included.
Meanwhile, good wishes are pouring in for Mrs Gandhi from across the political spectrum.
"We realise how much we need her, and how much we miss her. We want her to be back as soon as possible," said Congress leader and Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ambika Soni.
"I and my party wish her good luck. We want her to get well soon and come back," BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said.
Sonia Gandhi has been away due to ill health before. In 2009, she was hospitalised and away for more than three weeks but no caretaker team was set in place then. It seems to be different now.
Rahul Gandhi had so far stayed away from any trappings of government power. He had refused a berth in the Cabinet confining himself to election campaigns, pet causes and the youth organisations of the party. But, Sonia Gandhi's letter with the announcement, many felt, has mapped out his future role as the man who will take charge of the Congress party.