Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today left for abroad to be with his ailing mother Sonia Gandhi who is undergoing medical treatment.
Rahul left soon after his return from Chandigarh where he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh.
“Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi shall travel there today to be with her and accompany Congress President on the return journey,” party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
He added that Congress President Sonia Gandhi is already abroad for a health check-up.
Rahul left for an undisclosed location abroad amid a growing clamour for structural changes within after the party’s debacle in the Uttar Pradesh polls.
Sonia, who did not campaign in the assembly elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, went abroad for treatment earlier this month and gave a miss to the counting of votes in five states.
Party sources say she has gone for a “routine medical check-up” but there is no set date for her return.
Though they did not let in on where she has gone for the check-up, there was speculation that she is in the US where she had earlier undergone treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
Sonia has not been keeping well for quite some time.
Journalist Sahgarika Ghose on Twitter had poked fun at the Congress vice president for leaving the country at a time when his party was facing an unprecedented turmoil.
However, he received plenty of support from unexpected quarter as many felt that he had every right to be with his ailing mother. Others said that he may be criticised for his political decisions but not when he was required to discharge his duty as a son.
That’s after CNN-News18 ran a hashtag #PappuCantWinSaala during one of its prime time debates. Faced with widespread condemnation, the show’s anchor was forced to apologise and delete tweets.
If that's your view, why have you said you're deleting your original tweet? Stick to it then. https://t.co/nQEUB4MZ5U
— Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) March 16, 2017
That's a low blow. His mother isn't well & he's flying out to accompany her back. Catch him on a beach or at a party & then take this dig. https://t.co/GSu3AFDpYr
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 16, 2017
Attack RG for political failures, not on looking after his very sick mom. Once there's disclosure on his travel, it's no one else's business
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) March 16, 2017
The name calling for Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi by anchors through their twitter accounts or tv shows is not Journalism. Its cowardice.
— Abhisar Sharma (@abhisar_sharma) March 14, 2017
Choosing b/w family & public service is a false choice. If you can't serve ur unwell mother, what hope does the public have? #RahulGandhi
— Salman Anees Soz (@SalmanSoz) March 16, 2017
Trashing Rahul Gandhi for performance/leadership VALID. Jeering at him when he heads abroad to bring his ill mother home, STUPID & CRUEL.
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) March 16, 2017
Rahul Gandhi gives enough proof of being an incompetent leader. There is much to be criticised, travelling with ailing mother CANNOT be one.
— shilpi tewari (@shilpitewari) March 16, 2017
Rahul Gandhi became Congress Gen Sec in September 2007, Since then Congress has won 23 State Elections- facts also speak, sometimes.
— Rachit Seth (@rachitseth) March 16, 2017
(With PTI inputs)