Rahul Gandhi's return will benefit nation: Jairam Ramesh

AHMEDABAD: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said here today that party Vice President Rahul Gandhi would return to address a farmers' rally on April 19, adding that his return would not only benefit the Congress but also the entire country.

"Not just the Congress, but the whole country will benefit due to his return," Ramesh said.

However, Ramesh dodged the question about Rahul Gandhi's present location and said that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) would decide about his elevation to the post of Congress President.

"I do not want to comment on this issue. I have no idea what the AICC will decide during its meeting. All I can say is that Rahul will be there at the rally on April 19," he said.

Ending speculation surrounding Rahul's seven week absence, Ramesh said that the Congress Vice President would be in Delhi on April 19 to attend a massive rally against the Land Bill ordinance brought by the BJP-led central government.

Ramesh, who was here today to brief the media about the Congress party's stand on the Land Bill ordinance, stated that the massive rally would be attended by more than 5,000 Congress workers as well as farmers.

"We cannot compromise on the Land Bill issue and will continue our fight against the BJP-led government, both in the parliament and outside it. We have organised a massive Kisan Rally on April 19 in Delhi. I want to tell you that Rahul Gandhi will be there at the rally," Ramesh said, while addressing a press conference here today.

Earlier, leaders like Digvijay Singh and others have said that Rahul Gandhi would be present at the farmers' rally to be organised by the Congress.

Incidentally, Rahul's return comes at a time when Congress leaders like Sandeep Dikshit and Captain Amrinder Singh have voiced their opinion that Sonia Gandhi should continue to lead the Congress.