MARGAO:
Rahul Gandhi landed in Goa on Saturday night in his first visit to the state after taking over the reins of
Congress party, as its president. Soon after his arrival, Rahul headed to the beach resort in
South Goa, where his mother and UPA chairperson
Sonia Gandhi has been putting up for the past few days, sources said.
Sources in the Congress said that this was an entirely a "private visit" of the Gandhi family with no party engagements.
State Congress president Shantaram Naik said he was unaware of Rahul's visit. As is the norm in Congress, private visits of senior party leaders are kept strictly confidential, he said.
"They may have come to celebrate the New Year in Goa, as they do every year. Goa has become the Gandhi family's favourite holiday destination. We do not call them up or call on them during their private visits, unless they invite us," a senior Congress functionary told TOI, wishing not to be quoted.
While Rahul's duration of stay in Goa couldn't be confirmed, Sonia is likely to be here until the first week of the New Year.
Last year, too, Sonia, along with Rahul and Priyanka, had visited Goa for the New Year. Though Rahul had left soon after New Year set in, Priyanka had stayed back with Sonia for a few more days before flying back to Delhi.
On an earlier visit to the state in November 2016, Sonia accompanied by daughter, Priyanka, had visited Shree Shantaurga Kunkallilarin Devasthan temple at Fatorpa, and the Goa Chitra Museum at Benaulim.
Sonia has been visiting the tourist state quite often for the past couple of years and choosing to stay in the same beach resort every time. Sources attribute her preference to the South Goa resort to the serene environment and relatively more privacy the location offers.
FAMILY REUNION
