New Delhi: Like her departure to America five weeks ago, Sonia Gandhi's return this morning was a well-kept secret. She landed in Delhi early this morning on a British Airways flight escorted by her daughter, Priyanka. Mrs Gandhi's son, Rahul, met them at the airport.
The news of the Congress President's arrival was shared in parliament by Meira Kumar, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
"Honourable members, I am sure during this session all of you, along with me, missed the presence of Sonia Gandhi, UPA Chairperson who is recuperating after treatment in USA. We convey our very best wishes for her speedy recovery,'' Ms Kumar said.
Mrs Gandhi's party has so far refused to comment on the nature of the surgery she underwent in the US. Sources say members of the Congress who've requested meetings with her have been told she is not available for the next few days.
She did however ask the Congress to express her concern about yesterday's bomb blast in Delhi in which 13 people were killed and more than 70 injured. "She is fine but she has expressed sorrow for the loss of life," said party spokesperson Janardhan Dwivedi.
Different media reports said Mrs Gandhi was at the Sloane-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, though this was not confirmed by Congress spokespersons.
Mrs Gandhi's absence has been keenly felt by her party -some senior leaders including the Prime Minister have spoken publicly of missing her.
Many in the Congress also believe she would have handled last month's 12-day hunger strike by Anna activist Hazare very differently. The Congress made a series of grave miscalculations in its strategy on the 74-year-old who is fronting a campaign against corruption. Anna was arrested, then sent to Tihar Jail, which angered thousands of Indians who retaliated by lending their support through blockbusters crowds at Anna's protest camp in Delhi.
While Mrs Gandhi was away, her son, Rahul, played a larger and more visible role than usual in the party's affairs. The PM consulted him on different occasions during Anna's fast; Mr Gandhi also made a rare speech in parliament on Anna and the country's frustration with corruption. Mr Gandhi was among four Congressmen named by Mrs Gandhi as a caretaker committee while she was away.
The news of the Congress President's arrival was shared in parliament by Meira Kumar, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
"Honourable members, I am sure during this session all of you, along with me, missed the presence of Sonia Gandhi, UPA Chairperson who is recuperating after treatment in USA. We convey our very best wishes for her speedy recovery,'' Ms Kumar said.
Mrs Gandhi's party has so far refused to comment on the nature of the surgery she underwent in the US. Sources say members of the Congress who've requested meetings with her have been told she is not available for the next few days.
She did however ask the Congress to express her concern about yesterday's bomb blast in Delhi in which 13 people were killed and more than 70 injured. "She is fine but she has expressed sorrow for the loss of life," said party spokesperson Janardhan Dwivedi.
Different media reports said Mrs Gandhi was at the Sloane-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, though this was not confirmed by Congress spokespersons.
Mrs Gandhi's absence has been keenly felt by her party -some senior leaders including the Prime Minister have spoken publicly of missing her.
Many in the Congress also believe she would have handled last month's 12-day hunger strike by Anna activist Hazare very differently. The Congress made a series of grave miscalculations in its strategy on the 74-year-old who is fronting a campaign against corruption. Anna was arrested, then sent to Tihar Jail, which angered thousands of Indians who retaliated by lending their support through blockbusters crowds at Anna's protest camp in Delhi.
While Mrs Gandhi was away, her son, Rahul, played a larger and more visible role than usual in the party's affairs. The PM consulted him on different occasions during Anna's fast; Mr Gandhi also made a rare speech in parliament on Anna and the country's frustration with corruption. Mr Gandhi was among four Congressmen named by Mrs Gandhi as a caretaker committee while she was away.
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