Timing of Rahul Gandhi's sabbatical was wrong: Digvijay Singh

Updated: Sunday, April 5, 2015, 11:28 [IST]

New Delhi, April 5: Just ahead of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's return next week, party general secretary Digvijaya Singh on Saturday said the timing of Rahul's sabbatical was wrong.

In an interview with a private English news channel, Singh also said that Sonia Gandhi should continue to be in active politics even after Rahul replaces her from the party president post.

He said, "She should not retire. In fact, she should be the chairman of the UPA and she would be the mentor,"Singh was quoted as saying in IBN live report.

Singh had earlier said that the timing of Rahul's break could have been better.

[Needs more time to Introspect? Congress VP Rahul Gandhi extends his sabbatical]

He said that while there is nothing wrong in taking a break to reflect upon things and that there is no reason to criticise the decision, the timing of his leave could have been better.

The Congress vice president left for sabbatical just ahead of Budget Session of Parliament. He was to return Delhi by March 10. But, later he had extended his leave till first week of April.

[Rahul sabbatical: Timing could have been better, says Digvijay]

Earlier, it is being said that Rahul was not happy with excessive interference and that is main reason for his sudden sabbatical.

Sources said that a number of measures like opening up Youth Congress to elections were not welcomed by sections of the party. Gandhi wanted to implement several new ideas in the party, which failed to see the light of the day.

The Congress vice president was keen that the practice of high command making key appointments in the party is done away with. He also favoured election to the top posts including in Congress Working Committee, where nomination has been the way so far.

Gandhi's idea to hold primaries in election going seats was given a go-by after his experiment failed in Lok Sabha with none of the Congress candidates winning in 16 Parliamentary seats, where he had brought in US-style primary mode to elect candidates.

Party sources close to Gandhi said there could be more clarity on issues, when he puts forth his "plan of action" at the AICC meet. Gandhi has always given indications that he feels that Congress like other parties is not doing enough to empower the workers at the grass root.

OneIndia News
(With agency inputs)