New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS): During the Congress meeting at interim party chief Sonia Gandhi's residence, Rahul Gandhi's close aides K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala were not present, sources said.

Sources close to Venugopal said that he was at his native place to perform some rituals after the demise of his mother, but the question arises did Rahul Gandhi deliberately keep Venuopal away, whose elevation in the party is one of the reasons for the dissent the party is witnessing.

Perhaps there are no answers and the sources from the other camp said that his absence is being seen as a message that Rahul Gandhi wants to work with the seniors as well, so the brainstorming session on the lines of Panchmarhi is being suggested, but before that Sonia Gandhi will be meeting most of the leaders in batches before taking a final view on the situation in the party.

Many leaders in the meeting wanted Rahul Gandhi to takeover on which he said that he is willing to work whatever he will be asked, said sources, but that due process for internal elections that is already in motion should not be disturbed.

"No one has a problem with Rahul Gandhi, and this is not just for today. Everybody said that we need Rahul Gandhi's leadership. We must not fall into the trap of other people who are trying to distract the party's agenda," senior party leader Pawan Bansal said emerging out of the most awaited meeting ever since the group of 23 leaders had shot off a letter to Sonia Gandhi in August this year.