Rahul's absence puts question marks on his elevation

New Delhi, April 12 , 2015: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's long "leave of absence" appears to have accentuated the debate in the Congress on his possible elevation with clear differences among party leaders on the issue. While a section wants him to assume the mantle at the earliest, there are leaders who want party president Sonia Gandhi to continue steering the party. "There are two groups in the party. One is keen on Rahul Gandhi's early elevation and the other wants that he should continue as vice-president and Sonia Gandhi should continue leading the party. There will, hopefully, be clarity once Rahul Gandhi returns," an All India Congress Committee (AICC) functionary told IANS. The functionary, who did not want to be named, said that varied statements by senior leaders have caused apprehension among the party rank and file. "We get calls from party workers in states wanting to know what will happen. The earlier there is certainty over the issue, the better it is for the party," he said. Rahul Gandhi, 44, who is an MP from Amethi, has been on leave of absence for almost 50 days with no indication of disclosure about the place he has gone to. After he went on leave, Congress leaders said he had requested for time to reflect on the future course for the party. With questions being asked about his long leave, Congress leaders say he will take part in the party's April 19 rally against the redrafted land bill of the National Democratic Alliance government. Some sources said while there is a view in the party that Rahul Gandhi should assume mantle of party leadership within weeks of his return, there is another view that any change should come at the end of organisational election process in the party which is underway.