It's a case of Gone, Boy in the Indian National Congress. Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who was formally declared on a leave of absence by his party since Feb 16, remains AWOL. With the Congress having twice announced extensions for his time off, it's virtually impossible for political opponents to eschew potshots.
So across Uttar Pradesh, including in Mr Gandhi's constituency of Amethi, posters have sprung up that declare the 44-year-old missing. One, in Bundelkhand, promises Rs 10,000 as a reward for any information that could help locate the missing parliamentarian.
Forced onto the defensive, the Congress which has not commented on whether Mr Gandhi is abroad, now refuses to indicate an ETA for its leader. ''He will be back in the proximate future. There is no need to keep repeating this question," snapped spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
Similar posters of Rahul Gandhi were put up across Uttar Pradesh.
''Mrs Gandhi has made it very clear that she has to pass on this role, so it is inevitable,'' said a senior leader, confirming that while the timing of the gathering may have changed, its agenda hasn't. "He will be back before Parliament starts again.''
That spurt of activity should not be interpreted as a declaration of intent to remain party chief, said sources.
Party sources say that Mrs Gandhi may continue to be the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party even after giving up the President's post after 17 years. But those dynamics come later. For now, the party waits for Mr Gandhi to reappear.
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