Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is on a “regular meditational visit” abroad just ahead of his party’s planned nationwide protests against the Modi Government’s handling of economy. Incidentally, this is the second time in October when he has gone abroad as he was away also when the campaigning for the Assembly polls in two State were on. 

Congress said he is likely to return shortly.

Responding to speculation on the former Congress president’s absence, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Rahul was away on one of his regular “meditational visits”.

Sources in the party added that Rahul is possibly in Indonesia for a meditation session and will be back home .

“Rahul Gandhi has gone from time to time in the past on meditational visits. He is currently on one such visit,” Surjewala said when asked about the former Congress president.

Surjewala said the party’s 10-day agitation was formalised at a meeting in which Rahul participated in, but neither he nor Sonia Gandhi would be participating in the State and district-level programmes.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya took to Twitter to target Congress and said, “India is a leading center for meditation with a rich heritage. But Rahul Gandhi routinely flies out to odd destinations for ‘meditation’. Why doesn’t Congress simply make his itinerary public, after all he is a highly protected leader!”

The Congress has planned a country-wide agitation from November 5 to 15 to highlight issues such as the economic slowdown, farm distress, rising unemployment and job losses and the consequences of the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) trade agreement.

“This entire programme was drafted as per his direction and in consultation with him. He guided the party on the various steps and issues that were to be taken,” he said.