Sonia Gandhi expected to return by first week of September

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who underwent a surgery in the US, is expected to return by this weekend or in the first week of September.

Sources said there was considerable improvement in Gandhi's medical condition and she was informed of the Anna Hazare issue.

At the AICC briefing, party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, "We always look forward to her guidance and also expect to have it in very near future."

Replying to questions on whether the government is unable to handle the crisis in absence of the party president, Singhvi said, "We surely miss the Congress President's presence but issues have to be dealt with even in her absence."

Top sources in the party said Gandhi, who is recuperating after having undergone a surgery in the US on August 4, has been kept in loop about the developments back home and she could come back by month end or by the first week of next month.

Rahul Gandhi, who accompanied his mother to the US, came back to Delhi over a week back and was present at the flag hoisting ceremony at the AICC headquarters on August 15.

Sonia Gandhi had constituted a four-member team of Rahul Gandhi, AK Antony, Ahmed Patel and Janardan Dwivedi to look after party affairs in the state in her absence.