New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS): Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is already no 2 after party chief Sonia Gandhi, a senior leader said Thursday amid speculation of an organisational reshuffle before Diwali.
"Rahul Gandhi is already number 2. There is no need to say it," Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters.
Dwivedi said the much talked about party reshuffle would take place when the Congress chief decided. "No specific time or date has been finalised."
The speculation about a Congress reshuffle and Rahul Gandhi's upgrade gained ground after he chose not to join the Manmohan Singh government in the Sunday's cabinet rejig.
Informed sources said Rahul Gandhi could be made the party vice president or working president.
Congress sources had indicated a Congress reshuffle could happen before Diwali, which falls on Nov 13.
While some Congress leaders said it could happen this week, others felt the changeover may take place after the Nov 4 rally in Delhi to be addressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
While Rahul Gandhi reportedly played a key role in finalising the list of 22 ministers sworn in Sunday, he is expected to give important roles to his close aides including party MPs Ashok Tanwar, Meenakshi Natarajan and Manicka Tagore.
According to party sources, the blueprint for a Congress reshuffle has been prepared.