Rahul Gandhi travelling to US for conference: Congress

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi has gone to the US to attend a conference, Congress said tonight, rejecting rumours about his whereabouts.

"Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is travelling to Aspen, US on a short visit to attend a conference. The conference is expected to be attended by global leaders from various domains, both from government and private sectors," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said.

"We reject all rumours stating otherwise," he added.

He, however, did not give dates about the conference or the duration of the visit.

Earlier in the day when asked about Rahul at AICC briefing, Surjewala said, "Rahulji is travelling abroad on a short personal visit and will return shortly. We reject all rumours stating otherwise. He will continue to lead the party's Bihar campaign as also in the rest of the country."

He was asked whether Rahul had gone to London today and whether it meant that he had gone on another sabbatical.

Early this year, Rahul had gone abroad on a 56-day sabbatical when the budget session of Parliament had commenced and that led to much talk and speculation in political circles.

Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be in the USA from Thursday morning on a six-day visit.