As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is on a "meditation visit" abroad, he will miss the 10-day agitations planned by the party to protest against key issues under the Narendra Modi-led government.
The Congress has planned a country-wide agitation from November 5 to 15 to highlight the issues of economic slowdown, farm distress, rising unemployment, job losses and the consequences of the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) trade agreement.
"This entire programme was drafted as per his [Rahul's] direction and in consultation with him. He guided the party on to the various steps and issues that were to be taken. Shri Rahul Gandhi was present and participated in the meeting where this programme was taken up. Neither Sonia ji nor Rahul ji are going for state agitation or district agitational programme," said Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.
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Responding to speculation on the former Congress president's absence, Surjewala said Gandhi was away at one of his regular "meditational visits" and will return shortly.
Sources in the party added that Gandhi is possibly in Indonesia for a meditation session and will be back home soon.
"Shri 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.
The BJP took a potshot at the Congress as the party's IT cell head Amit Malviya tweeted: "India is a leading centre for meditation with a rich heritage. But Rahul Gandhi routinely flies out to odd destinations for 'meditation'."
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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'.
