The Congress was, however, quick to distance itself from his statement saying it was his "personal view."

Controversy erupted after Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh suggested on Saturday that party vice-president Rahul Gandhi take over as party chief from his mother, Sonia Gandhi.

The party officially sought to play down Mr. Singh’s suggestion as a personal view. “It’s a general feeling of party workers that the Congress has always encouraged younger people to lead it. Therefore, I think the time has come when Rahul should take charge,”he had said.

Party spokesperson and former Minister Anand Sharma said Sonia was a source of great inspiration for the party. “Rahul Gandhi is also an inspiration and future of the party,” he added.