Rahul Gandhi's return an item number in politics: BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra

BJP leader Sambit Patra on Thursday slammed Rahul Gandhi for his 56-day sabbatical and said that his return was like an ‘item number’ in politics. [caption id=“attachment_2198980” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] BJP said Rahul Gandhi’s return was like an ‘item number’ in politics. PTI[/caption] “There are no item numbers in politics,” Patra said. “Did Rahul Gandhi ever ask people about his leave for two months?” the BJP leader said. “There is nothing called part-time politics. It’s a full time job. You cannot just shy away from your duties that you have promised to deliver,” Patra said. “It is good news that Rahul Gandhi is back because he was missing earlier.” On Rahul Gandhi leading the planned farmers’ rally scheduled to take place on Sunday by Congress against the Modi government’s land bill, Patra said, “Which farmer is Rahul Gandhi going to talk about? Did he do a case study on the farmers in Bangkok?” Patra’s remarks come after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi 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 in New Delhi at 11.15 am 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, reported PTI. 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 plane, which was scheduled to land at 10.35 am, was delayed by 40 minutes, sources said. Shortly later, Rahul drove to his 12, Tughlaq Lane residence where his mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka were waiting. Rahul had left quietly before the Budget session began on 23 February. 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. Rahul’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. (With inputs from PTI)