Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip just ahead of the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana has triggered speculation about his reluctance to campaign for the Congress but insiders said the former party president would return in time to travel to both states.

The speculation started as reports surfaced about his sudden trip, prompting many on social media to question Rahul’s seriousness and commitment to politics.

The Karnataka BJP unit put out this tweet from its official handle: “With Elections to Maharashtra & Haryana around the corner, voters are eagerly waiting to watch and listen to their ‘Star Campaigner’. The Congress, is it true that he has already left for Bangkok? Now who will talk about ‘Sona from Aloo in Ambala’ and ‘Mobiles Made in Aurangabad’?”

Sources in the Congress said Rahul was headed to Cambodia for a brief Vipasana session and would be back to campaign. He is most likely to visit Maharashtra for three days and Haryana for twice, the sources added. Polling is to take place on October 21.

Controversies have dogged Rahul’s foreign tours for years even as he led a fierce campaign in most state elections and in the 2019 parliamentary polls as Congress president.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi tweeted: “The personal should not be mixed with the public life of an individual. We need to entitle everybody an eternal sense of liberty and privacy. After all, this is the basic and outlining principle of a progressive and liberal democracy.”

The sources said he cannot decide his campaign schedules on his own after relinquishing the post of party president but would respond to the invitation by state units and instructions of the high command.

Rahul’s name is on the list of star campaigners released by the Congress last week. Both these elections, in Maharashtra and Haryana, are an uphill battle for the party with the organisation still demoralised. The BJP’s aura of dominance continues despite the economic slide and social strife. The revocation of special status in Jammu & Kashmir has particularly evoked favourable public sentiment across the country.

Rahul has largely restricted himself to his constituency Wayanad since the general election, though he occasionally tweets on national issues. His public engagements have been scarce and activities within the party are more or less suspended. His aides insist he does not interfere with the party’s functioning and may avoid returning to the centre stage for many more months.