Rahul Gandhi to attend 'Weekend with Charlie Rose' conference in US: Congress

NEW DELHI: The Congress has said that party vice-president Rahul Gandhi will participate in ‘ Weekend with Charlie Rose’ conference, piloted by the internationally renowned journalist, during his brief visit to Aspen. This means, Gandhi may speak at the conference around the same time Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in the US.

Political quarters in Delhi wonder whether Gandhi would use his speech at the Aspen conference to critique the Modi regime, especially since Congress has been increasingly critical of the PM’s penchant to 'drag in domestic politics’ during his foreign addresses.

The 'Weekend with Charlie Rose’ conference will be held between September 24 and 28 and Modi’s US visit is till September 27. The latest global leader whom Rose interviewed was Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Attacking BJP spokespersons for, "launching a malicious campaign" about Gandhi’s visit, AICC chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "the Congress on Tuesday had clearly stated that Congress vicepresident Rahul Gandhi was travelling to Aspen, US, on a short visit to attend a conference… It is reiterated that the said conference known as 'Weekend with Charlie Rose' is an internationally renowned private conference organised and piloted by the famous journalist.

The conference, which is by invitation only, is scheduled between September 24 to 28. It brings together select group of leaders from the worlds of business, politics, media, finance, technology, sports, science, medicine and the arts for a weekend of thought provoking conversations and activities."

Sources said Gandhi would also be meeting his ailing grandmother during his visit. Surjewala alleged that BJP was spreading "malicious rumors" about Gandhi’s visit, "as the BJP is scared of an imminent defeat in Bihar elections and resorting to white lies."