Rahul Gandhi could step in as Congress working chief to help Sonia

All weary Congress eyes are on Sonia Gandhi, who is expected here in a day or two after a month-long stay in the US. The party chief is recuperating from an undisclosed surgery.

Restive and rudderless after the Anna Hazare blitz, the party rank and file is eagerly awaiting her to rescue them from the quagmire.

While none in the party is willing to second guess whether Sonia will be able to take charge just after her return, there is a lurking fear that she may need more time to be back in form. Party circles are abuzz with speculation that she will delegate most of her powers to son and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi and that the heir apparent may soon be appointed the party's working president.

Notwithstanding the series of crises that rocked the party recently, not a single high-level meeting was held to discuss the drift in her absence. On his return from the US, Rahul stepped in and forced the government to drop its hardline approach while dealing with Anna and Co.

During the negotiations with Team Anna, many Congress leaders, especially the younger lot, did not know what was happening and who to contact for correct information till Rahul came into the picture.

Even before Sonia underwent surgery, leaders such as Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh had reignited the 'Rahul as PM' chorus. Party insiders are of the view that time has now come for Rahul to share the burden of his mother and boost the sinking morale of the party cadre.

On if Rahul should take over as the Congress working president, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Lok Sabha MP Jagadambika Pal said: "He is our future leader. He will take over at the right time." In Sonia's absence, a four- member committee comprising Rahul, defence minister A. K. Antony, Sonia's political secretary Ahmed Patel and AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi was set up to run the day-to-day affairs of the party.

However, the panel reportedly did not have any structured meeting. With Rahul flying in and out of Delhi to be by Sonia's side in the US, the panel did not play a pro-active role during the Anna crisis and subsequently goofed up in arresting him and sending him to Tihar jail only to be released after a public hue and cry.