WHERE IS AU PAIR AND HER SON?

Where are Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi
Published: Friday, Jul 30, 2010, 3:06 IST
By Anil Sharma | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA

New Delhi: The continuing absence of the Gandhis —Sonia and Rahul — from Parliament has left curiosity levels soaring in the political circles. For the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Rahul remained missing from the House. Even British prime minister David Cameron had to leave without meeting either of them.

Congress spokespersons have stayed mum so far. On Wednesday, party spokesperson Manish Tiwari sounded apologetic about the party’s first family violating a three-line whip. It could be “due to compelling circumstances”, he said. Tiwari maintained that ordinarily Sonia is very particular about attending Parliament.

What has left everybody intrigued is that the Gandhis missed the scheduled meeting with the British prime minister on Wednesday. It has been surmised that the Gandhis could be abroad, but there is no official confirmation from any party spokesperson.

The Congress sought to downplay the gravity of Sonia’s absence.
Union minister of state for parliamentary affairs V Narayanasamy clarified on Thursday that there was no question of her violating a three-line whip as no such whip was issued. “We have just issued a two-line whip. The difference is very substantial. In a three-line whip, there is a directive to remain present, and in a two-line whip it is just a request,” he said.