In a well-timed return from his sabbatical, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is likely to be back in town in the second week of April, just a few days before the farmers rally planned by his party gets underway on April 19.

For the past 45 days, Rahul Gandhi, who proceeded on leave from his official duties on February 16 to "introspect" on the way forward for the Grand Old Party, and his whereabouts have been the subject of much heated discussion with various locales finding their names being mentioned in the discussions.

Despite the names of many locations being thrown about, little is known of his whereabouts. He is said to have been spotted in:





1. Uttarakhand





A Congress leader, Jagdish Sharma, found himself in the firing line after he put out some photos of Rahul Gandhi reportedly camping in the verdant hills around Gangotri. Soon after the claims were refuted by Rahul's office, Sharma clarified, "I posted pictures of Rahulji to debunk reports that were doing the rounds about him being in Bangkok."

Why on earth would one go to Uttarakhand: Why not? It's god's own abode and the quality of air in the hills is exactly opposite of unbreathable air of Delhi. A month up there can rejuvenate the youth leader.

2. Thailand

If you want to be out of India and still be in India, Bangkok is the place where you can't walk to the nearest 7-Eleven without bumping into 11 Indians. Sawadee Khaa! Reports of him being in Thailand spread in the first of week of March and were even picked up by newspapers in Bangkok. That was revised to a Vipassana centre in Chiang Mai. Khapun khap!





3. Spain





This is not original, this pain added to the S joke. In fact, every time he steps out of his Tughlak Lane home, people presume he has flown to Mallorca. Some bring up his mysterious Mexican girlfriend to add some weight to their loose speculation. The truth is Spain may be more than just matadors and Mexican girlfriends. Besides, if you have to take the bully by the horns, you gotta need some bullfighting tips.

4. Bihar

Far away from the verdant hills of Gangotri and the jam-packed stadia of Australia, Rahul Gandhi is said to be in Bihar. Munger exactly. The place notorious for guns and famous for the best yoga school in the world. The birthplace of Karna, who had to pick up the sword against his own blood, because loyalty came first.

5. Myanmar





If you are an Indian in Thailand, you aren't in hiding. You are actually showing up. So if you are reflecting, Burma or Myanmar's Buddhist temples in Bagan may be one option. Some believe he is in a monastery meditating about the poison power can be.

6. Cambodia

Anybody going to Cambodia ends up flying to Bangkok first. The Cambo rumour picked up strength because Rahul flew to Bangkok and wasn't immediately discovered in Bangkok. So, maybe he is visiting the historic ruins of Angkor Wat reflecting on his party in ruins.

7. Brazil

Well, it was the Carnival time and people blamed it on Rio. Clueless people generally think that if one really wants to get away, Brazil should be the place, because it's so far away, media wouldn't ever find out. It also is home to the great Amazon jungles where people still get lost and ancient people have recently been found.

8. Australia

We know how we love cricket and all. Rahul does so too. This section of rumour-mongers believe he went to cheer for Team India and then Team India lost. He couldn't reveal he was there for nobody wants to be blamed for one loss after the other. Hence, nobody in the party wants to reveal.

