Rahul Gandhi returns from Europe trip

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi returned from his trip to Europe on Sunday and will hold a meeting with Congress leaders tomorrow to take stock of the developments during his absence.

Gandhi, whose foreign trips in the past have led to intense speculation, had announced his trip to Europe on Twitter on December 28.

"I will be travelling to Europe for a few days. A very Happy New Year to everyone," he had said.

Congress sources said Gandhi returned early this morning and will meet with party leaders tomorrow.

Gandhi had been out of the country during New Year on some occasions in the past as well.

His last two trips abroad were much talked about. His around two-month sabbatical after an AICC session in February last year to reflect upon the party's debacle in Delhi elections and deliberate on a future course for Congress had led to BJP taking potshots at him.

There was a political controversy even over his September visit to Aspen, US to attend a conference.

When the BJP raised questions about the Congress claim of Gandhi attending the conference in Aspen, the Congress vice president's office had uploaded photographs of the same on Twitter to counter the attack.