Sonia, Rahul soak in colours at AICC headquarters

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, March 25

In what several Congress workers described as a "rare spectacle", party chief Sonia Gandhi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi landed at the AICC headquarters yesterday morning to play Holi with their colleagues.

It was the first time in years that the party had sent out messages to everyone a night before Holi that Rahul will celebrate the festival with party rank and file. Though the late night message on March 23 didn't mention Sonia Gandhi, she decided to turn up at the last minute and be part of what the workers termed a "welcome outreach" by the "normally reclusive Gandhis".

Though not many people arrived at the AICC to see Sonia and Rahul freely soaking in the colours of Holi, those who were present said they quite enjoyed being around their leaders. Among the participants at the celebrations were Congress treasurer Motilal Vora, former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and her son Sandeep, Delhi unit Congress chief Ajay Makan, Congress media head Randeep Surjewala and some party spokespersons, including Meem Afzal. 

Rahul was seen displaying an ease of manner, quite contrary to his reticent image. Sonia on her part was cheerful and wore a smile through her time at the AICC yesterday.

A Congress worker who was present at the celebrations says, "Madam rarely comes to the AICC these days except when there is an important meeting. Even her room remains locked most of the time. We had not expected her to come but it's good that she decided to be among her workers. That's the way leaders should be."

Politically the move was seen as critical in terms of messaging in times when the Congress is struggling to correct its pro-minority image.