Ending his nearly two-month-long sabbatical, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi returned to his official residence here on Thursday, amid bursting of crackers. He arrived on a Thai Airlines flight from Bangkok.

The Congress camp was upbeat over his return. His critics in the party hoped that he will take the new responsibility “seriously” and steer the party at an hour of crisis.

Rahul’s first meeting will be on Friday, where he will take a briefing from AICC office bearers on the preparations for a mega farmers’ rally organised by the party, scheduled for Sunday.

His absence had widened the chasm in the Congress, with two factions — one wanting Rahul at the helm and another wanting Sonia to continue to lead the party — coming out in public against the way things are done in the party.

While his supporters argued that Rahul should be given more freedom to take organisational and political decisions, his detractors argued that the Congress cannot reclaim its lost base by ignoring the old guard.

Senior leaders often alleged that Rahul does not give them a patient hearing on several issues concerning the party.

The 44-year-old leader is controlled by a coterie run by some of his staff members and he does not work the way other Congress presidents from the party’ first family worked, they said.

His organisational experiments, such as dismantling groups and promoting democracy, were looked upon with suspicion by party veterans.

Road taken A senior Congress leader who has been critical of Rahul’s actions told BusinessLine that the Nehru-Gandhi scion can select the way the party should go.

“The leadership is with the family. He should show some courage and take politics seriously. Now, he is back after two months. No one in the party will question him.

“But he should take up his role seriously and face the challenges before the party effectively. It is heartening to see that Sonia Gandhi is back to active politics. He should learn from his mother,” the leader said.

It has been suggested to the Gandhi family that the three members — Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Vadra — should share the responsibility.

In an apparent indication that things are moving in that direction, Priyanka has been evincing some interest in party affairs of late. She has been working as a link between the old guard and the camp led by her brother.

Organisational elections are under way at the party. The family thinks that completing the process in a transparent manner will address a number of organisational issues such as dissidence and favouritism.

The party managers also feel the Land Bill issue may help the Congress start functioning as an effective Opposition.

However, while Sonia has been at the forefront of the struggles, Rahul, who had taken deep interest in the existing law in 2013, has been missing from action this year.

Senior leaders expressed hope today that things will begin to look up for the party.

“He is back and I have no doubt that he will be not only taking proactive measures but also with dynamism, with commitment provide leadership,” senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said.

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