Rahul prefers to concentrate on party

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and often described as a prime minister in waiting, chose not to join the government despite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's public invitation to him to do so several times. He has decided to take on a more prominent role in the party according to the reliable sources.

Rahul Gandhi was also present during the oath taking ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, had met President Pranab Mukherjee last week, fuelling speculation he may finally join the government with the general elections about a year and a half away.

On Saturday he met his mother and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and is believed to have played an important role in the finalising the list of ministers, especially in the elevation of some younger ministers like Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sachin Pilot. Sonia Gandhi had earlier said it was entirely up to Rahul to decide whether he wanted to join the government.