Congress defends Rahul Gandhi's trip

NEW DELHI: The Congress celebrated its 136th foundation day in the absence of party interim president Sonia Gandhi and former party chief Rahul Gandhi as senior party leader A.K. Antony unfurled the party flag.

Speaking to the media after the party foundation day celebrations, Priyanka Gandhi slammed the government for calling the farmers' agitation a "political conspiracy".

She said, "To say that this is a political conspiracy is wrong. I feel that the words being used for farmers are a sin. The government is answerable to the farmers and the government should talk to the farmers and take back the laws."

However, she remained silent on the questions about the whereabouts of her brother and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking to the media, senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said Rahul Gandhi was not in the country but Sonia Gandhi was present. He said that as a party worker Rahul Gandhi performs all the duties assigned to him. "Rahul Gandhi is on a short personal visit to see his ailing grandmother. He is not on a holiday," he said. (IANS)

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