Sonia Gandhi unwell, operated upon in US

NDTV

New Delhi, 04 August 2011:  Congress president Sonia Gandhi has been unwell and has undergone surgery today in the US, the Congress has said.

 

Congress spokesman Janardhan Dwivedi said, "Mrs Gandhi was recently diagnosed with a medical condition and upon the advice of her doctors, has travelled abroad for surgery." 

 

He said the surgery had been successful and Mrs Gandhi’s condition was stable. The party has not revealed what her medical condition was. Or where in the US she is undergoing treatment.

 

She is expected to be away for two to three weeks. Sources say her daughter, Priyanka, is with her. 

The spokesman read out a note from Mrs Gandhi stating that in her absence a core group of four people would "look after the affairs of the Congress party". This core group comprises Defence Minister and senior Congress leader A K Antony, her political advisor Ahmed Patel, her son and party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi and Janardhan Dwivedi.

 

Sonia Gandhi is also the UPA chairperson. 

 

There had been some speculation ever since the Monsoon session of Parliament began this week on why both she and Rahul Gandhi had not been attending Lok Sabha proceedings. 

 

More details are awaited.