All Indian Congress Committee vice president Rahul Gandhi is on a leave and will be missing out the NDA government's first full-fledged budget that will be presented later this week. The 44 year old MP from Amethi has applied for leave and like always, the Congress party has defended his decision to take a break. “Mr. Gandhi wants some time to think. It is often a good idea to take some time off,” added a Congress leader. However, president Sonia Gandhi refused to commented on Rahul absence in the house and added that she will say nothing about it, speaking to a channel.

Rahul Gandhi has led the Congress party into a series of flow shows in the elections. Starting from May annual elections, Rahul's leadership were tested time and again. In the recently concluded Delhi elections, the party could not win even a single seat despite being in power over the last three terms. Within the party, many wanted Priyanka Gandhi to lead as they were impressed by her campaign at Rai Bareli and Amethi.

Meanwhile the ruling BJP slammed Congress and Rahul over his absence. “It is the NDA government's first budget and he is holidaying. There will be questions about his interest in politics and the country's affairs,” said union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

TVR