Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge make joint appearance at Raj Ghat

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Congress presidential candidate Mallikarjun Kharge made a joint appearance on Sunday to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. Many in the party read a special signal in it as the appearance came two days after Kharge entered the fray.

Meanwhile, Congress spokespersons Deepender Hooda, Gaurav Vallabh and Syed Naseer Husain said they have 'resigned' from the party posts to campaign for Kharge because the "neutral" leadership remained "committed to a free and fair" poll. While they flanked Kharge at his press conference, they would accompany him during his visits to states for campaigning.

Hooda junior's new job is being seen in the party circles as yet another signal of him emerging as the leadership's favourite in comparison to fellow-Haryanvi Randeep Surjewala. Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are also slated to join Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka this week; Kharge would join the yatra at Bellary later.