Rahul to travel abroad to meet grandmother

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will be taking a break from politics to visit his 93-year-old grandmother in Italy, he said on Twitter. He will most likely spend his 47th birthday next week with them.

"Will be travelling to meet my grandmother & family for a few days. Looking forward to spending some time with them," said Gandhi, who will be celebrating his 47th birthday on June 19.

His latest foreign visit comes in the midst of hectic politics over the coming Presidential election and other developments like the farm crisis.

He did not mention how many days he will be abroad.

Rahul's grandmother Paola Maino lives in Italy.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala defending Gandhi, said: "Rahul Gandhi is travelling abroad to meet his 93-year-old grandmother and family. To take care of the well-being of elders is part of our culture."

"Rahul Gandhi will continue to lead and guide the ongoing farmers' agitation and every Congressman is committed to fight for the farmers rights," he added.

Rahul Gandhi had in March visited the US, where his mother and party chief Sonia Gandhi had gone for a health check-up.

Earlier, during the New Year Celebrations, Gandhi had gone to London for a short break.