Rahul Gandhi, whose Congress party had announced that he would be back in Delhi by today, has extended his "leave of absence" and will now return only by the end of this week, sources said.
The timing of Mr Gandhi's sabbatical - his party explained he needed time to think - caused controversy; he left just as the crucial Budget Session of Parliament began. The Session has so far has been dominated by the Congress's opposition to the government's land reforms, an issue seen as close to Mr Gandhi, but others have had to lead the party on it in his absence.
Now, he will not even be there to add to his party's numbers when the Lok Sabha votes on the land acquisition bill this evening. Mr Gandhi is one of the Congress' meagre 44 lawmakers in the lower house, where the BJP-led NDA government has a big majority.
They also clarified that he was "not quitting politics."
Sonia Gandhi refused to comment on reports that her son left the country in anger, over not being allowed to restructure the party. There was speculation that Mr Gandhi was frustrated at not being able to dismantle the "old guard coterie" that advises his mother.
Watch: Rahul Gandhi Takes An Uber To Share Plight Of Gig Workers Manmohan Singh Was Part Of Lateral Entry: Law Minister Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi What Is Lateral Entry In Bureaucracy That Triggered BJP vs Congress Debate Indian Airports, Borders On Alert As Global Mpox Cases Rise: 10 Points "My Intention Was To...": Sudha Murty Clarifies Raksha Bandhan Post Woman's Post "Men Will Rape Because..." Sparks Debate On Social Media Nothing CEO Ends Work From Home, Suggests Leaving To Those Who Disagree Arunachal Makes Inner Line Permit Mandatory For Non-Residents UP Police Constable Exam Admit Card 2024 To Be Out Today, Check Details Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.