I/II. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rahul-gandhi-returns-from-sabbatical/article7108561.ece
Updated: April 16, 2015 16:02 IST Rahul Gandhi returns from sabbatical PTI The return of Rahul Gandhi comes ahead of the party's planned farmers' rally on the contentious Land Bill issue which he is likely to address. Photo: Sandeep Saxena The Congress vice-president's return comes ahead of the party's planned farmers' rally on the contentious land bill issue which he is likely to address. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday returned home from his 56-day unexplained sabbatical which had raised questions over his leadership of the party that is struggling to find its feet after a string of electoral defeats. The 44-year-old leader arrived here at 11.15 a.m. on a Thai Airways plane from Bangkok, ending days of intense speculation over his return and amidst celebrations by party workers who burst crackers outside his residence. Wearing a dark shirt and seated in the back seat of his vehicle, he arrived escorted by his security personnel and drove straight into the house without interacting with the waiting mediapersons. The return of Mr. Gandhi comes ahead of the party's planned farmers' rally on the contentious Land Bill issue which he is likely to address. The plane, which was scheduled to land at 10.35 a.m., was delayed by 40 minutes, sources said. Shortly later, Mr. Gandhi drove to his 12, Tughlaq Lane residence where his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka were waiting. Mr. Gandhi had left quietly before the Budget session began on February 23 but it is still not known where he had spent the days. The party had then said that he "requested Congress president Sonia Gandhi for some time to reflect on recent events and future course of the party". Ever since the announcement of his temporary break from political life, there has been speculation that he was unhappy with not getting a free hand to run the party, a contention which the party has officially denied. Mr. Gandhi's leave had come amid talk of an AICC session, where he was expected to be elevated as Congress president. During his absence, several party leaders including former chief ministers Amarinder Singh and Sheila Dikshit came out in the open pitching for Sonia Gandhi to continue as president and raised questions over his leadership. Congress leaders had announced that Mr. Gandhi would be back by April 19 as he would be addressing a farmers' rally on land bill issue at the Ramlila maidan here on that day. The rally is being held on the eve of the second phase of the Budget session of Parliament. Mr. Gandhi had skipped the first phase which saw the Congress taking on the government over the land bill issue. Congress has been performing badly at the hustings, starting with the Lok Sabha elections last year. It was followed by a string of defeats in Assembly elections including in Delhi recently. Sources also said that plans are underway to organise an interaction of Rahul Gandhi with a delegation of farmers on April 17, two days before he will address the Kisan-Khet Mazdoor rally of the party. Party leaders on Thursday voiced confidence that Mr. Gandhi will provide leadership with dynamism and commitment and take pro-active measures. "He is back and I have no doubt that he will be not only taking proactive measures but also with dynamism, with commitment provide leadership," Congress leader Anand Sharma said, adding that farmers' issue has been close to Rahul's heart. The BJP, meanwhile, took potshots at the Congress vice-president, saying he "ran away" as he had lost all confidence. "From Nehru to Rahul, it is the withering away of the dynasty," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said. [Video] II. http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-return-shortly-after-2-month-long-leave-of-absence-755372 Rahul Gandhi Back After 57-Day Sabbatical That Included Vipassana All India | Reported by Sunil Prabhu, Edited by Deepshikha Ghosh | Updated: April 16, 2015 15:05 IST Rahul Gandhi Back After 57-Day Sabbatical That Included Vipassana Click to Play Rahul Gandhi returned to Delhi today after a 2-month sabbatical NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi has returned to Delhi after a 57-day sabbatical, which included a course in vipassana or silent meditation. The Congress vice president arrived by an 11.15 am flight from Bangkok and was welcomed at his home by his mother and party president Sonia Gandhi, and sister Priyanka. In anticipation of his homecoming, several media crew spent the night outside his bungalow in the tree-shaded Tughlaq Lane. In the morning, a crowd of curious spectators joined them. Some of them were Congress workers, who burst firecrackers to welcome their leader. RELATED On Twitter, #RahulReturns is Top Trend Rahul Gandhi May Return Today, His Office Tells NDTV Was Misquoted, Says Sheila Dikshit, Denies Rahul Gandhi Criticism The 44-year-old has missed much activity in a politically-charged season, leaving his party to defend a "leave of absence" that has been extended several times, especially at a time the Congress has tried to rally opposition forces against government policies. On Sunday, Rahul Gandhi is expected to address a massive farmers' rally against the government's proposed law to make it easier to acquire land for industrial and key infrastructure projects. To prep for what is his first major public appearance after return, he will consult with party leaders and farmers tomorrow. The Congress has said that its number two leader wanted time off for introspection, and has also vehemently denied reports that he left over differences with his mother over the running of the party. Often described as a reluctant politician, Rahul Gandhi is expected to replace his mother as party chief soon. But during his intensely speculated absence, his party has projected mixed feelings about him taking over the reins. Mr Gandhi has presided over a series of electoral disasters for his party, which included a colossal defeat in last year's national election and the Delhi election in February. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit suggested recently that the party will not benefit from Sonia Gandhi making way for her son for the top post. Another party leader, Amarinder Singh, said this week that the party's leadership should remain with Mrs Gandhi as "a generational change cannot be made using a knife."Story First Published: April 16, 2015 10:44 IST -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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