New Delhi, Aug 15 (IANS) Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Monday attended the Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony at the party office and said party president Sonia Gandhi was doing much better after her surgery. He later held discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Rahul Gandhi returned to the capital Sunday after being with his mother who underwent surgery earlier this month in the US.

"She is much better," Rahul told reporters.

Though Congress leaders were keen that Rahul Gandhi should hoist the tricolour in the party office in the absence of his mother, the flag was unfurled by party treasurer Motilal Vora.

Party sources said the young leader suggested that the flag should be hoisted by Vora, who is considered senior both by his rank and age.

After the ceremony, Rahul Gandhi met the prime minister for over an hour. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni and party leader Janardan Dwivedi were also present at the meeting.

Party leaders, however, remained tight-lipped over the meeting.

Party sources said the confabulations were held in the backdrop of Anna Hazare's proposed fast Tuesday for a strong Lokpal bill which has set him on a collision course with the Congress and the government.

The sources said the party is unlikely to make personalised attacks against Hazare and his associates unless provoked.

The party had launched a scathing attack on Hazare Sunday accusing him of corruption and the government had termed his fast "undemocratic and unconstitutional".

Hazare has offered to court arrest if the government does not allow him to proceed to the venue of his fast at JP Park in the capital.

Rahul Gandhi is part of the four-member committee constituted by Sonia to look after party affairs in her absence.