Gandhi aloof in cabinet reshuffle

Rahul's reasons for sitting in his tent have also fired speculation in the Indian media. One theory is that after many years of presenting a cleaner than clean image, the Singh Government has become embroiled in a series of scandals and he might wish to not be too closely associated with it in the lead-up to the election.

Another, less kind, theory goes to his campaigning style on behalf of Congress in recent State elections in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar – the party performed poorly in both.

And possibly, although this is largely dismissed, he may sense that it will be difficult for a Congress-led coalition to win a third consecutive election and that it would be better for him to rebuild the party from opposition.

Rahul's campaign style has been mostly to appear as a man of the downtrodden masses and supporter of public welfare schemes, claiming that these would be rolled back if the main Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) regained office. "The Saffron Party (a jibe at the BJP power-base among Hindus and saffron-clad Hindu monks) has always halted development and taken the country back," he is quoted as saying.

Not that Rahul and his mother are untouched by scandal even in their current positions or lack of them. Subramanian Swamy, president of the minority Janata Party in the BJP-led opposition coalition, has claimed the pair have converted assets belonging to the Congress Party to their own family-controlled enterprises.

Mr Swamy, who said it was his mission to "expose" the Gandhis, alleged that there had been a violation of several laws in the way the takeover was carried out.

So far Rahul and Sonia have stayed out of the debate, allowing other Congress officials to issue rebuttals. A statement from Rahul's office said: "Our attention has been drawn to the purported press conference of the afternoon of November 1. The allegations made are utterly false, entirely baseless and defamatory ..."

Despite this angry statement, the main BJP opposition party supports Janata, saying the allegations are serious enough to warrant an investigation.

Finally, there is one other problem facing Rahul's ascent to power. His uncle, Sanjay, tipped as the logical successor to Indira Gandhi until he was killed in an air crash, has a widow, Maneka and son, Varun, who have joined the BJP.

The prospect of Gandhis on both sides of the political divide is a complication that Rahul and Sonia could do without as they plan the next succession of the family which has been described as India's Kennedys.