Sonia's trusted aides return to parent body

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) Two trusted aides of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Mr P P Madhavan and Mr S V Pillai, have returned to their parent organisation in the government in the wake of her resignation as the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council (NAC).

They were on deputation in the personal staff of Ms Gandhi in her capacity as the Chairperson of the NAC, a position which provided her the Cabinet rank, party sources told UNI.

Denying that they were removed from their position, the sources said in view of Ms Gandhi having quit her post in the NAC following the office of profit controversy,there was no question of her having removed them from her personal staff. ''They have been sent back to their parent organisation from where they came on deputation.'' Mr Madhavan and Mr Pillai, both of whom are Government employees, worked at 10, Janpath, the official residence of Ms Gandhi,for over a decade. While Mr Madhavan acted as the Officer on Special Duty, Mr Pillai was Additional Private Secretary to the Congress President.

Both the aides were considered very influential and enjoyed the confidence of Ms Gandhi ever since she dispensed with the services of her advisor Vincent George.

UNI YS AT HS1915