Navjot Singh Sidhu defends Rahul Gandhi's trip to Italy; here's what he said

Speaking exclusively to India Today, the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief slammed those who raised questions about the trip.

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday came to the defence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. A former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is overseas. His visit raised several eyebrows since he was scheduled to address an election rally in Moga in Punjab on January 3.Speaking exclusively to India Today, the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief slammed those who raised questions about the trip. He said, "This is hogwash that he was to come here. People do go on holiday. We in Punjab had never given him a date (for poll campaigning)."Speaking further, he said, "Why should Rahul or Priyanka be criticised. It is under their leadership the state won 78 seats and formed the government in Punjab. There are eight MPs in the state. If he wants to come to the state, he can come anytime but there was no such plan, so why the criticism."He said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi, despite having the opportunity, never took the reigns of control or power in the government. The Gandhis are from a respectable family and one day you see "Rahul will change this country", Sidhu said.Rahul Gandhi is expected to return to the country to campaign in the key state of Punjab where the stakes are high for the Congress party. While Rahul Gandhi's rally is yet to be announced, the Prime Minister is kickstarting the campaign in Punjab with his mega rally on January 5.The Congress in Punjab despite a change in guard triggered by the exit of Captain Amarinder Singh, is riddled with several factions. Navjot Singh Sidhu told India Today there were no differences between party leaders. Reports are being blown out of proportion, he claimed.

Interestingly, this statement came on the day Punjab Deputy CM and state Home Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said he would lay the home ministry "at the feet" of Sidhu if the latter wants it.