Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi  has taken leave from party affairs and the parliament to 'reflect' and 'think' about party’s future after poor performances in series of elections.

According to Congress leaders, Gandhi junior needs time to think about recent events and future of the party.

A Congress leader told electronic media that Rahul has been granted a leave of absence for a few weeks. He will return and resume his active participation in the affairs of the party after his ‘reflection-holiday’.

Party president Sonia Gandhi refused to elaborate on her son's plans. "Whatever we wanted to say has been said. I am not going to add anything to this," she told reporters.

His absence comes at a time when the party is holding a nationwide discussion for preparing a blueprint for its revival.

Meanwhile, social media remained active with newsfeed mocking Rahul Gandhi’s timing for ‘introspection.’

Couldn't Rahul Gandhi have gone on 'sabbatical' at end of last session? Pushing off now shows his irrelevance to Indian politics.

— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) February 23, 2015

Does anyone know where Rahul Gandhi is going on holid…I mean "leave of absence" to deeply contemplate the future of Congress?

— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) February 23, 2015

I admire #RahulGandhi's sincerity & openness in seeking leave to reflect on recent events.May he return with robust ideas to revive Congress

— Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) February 23, 2015

स्कूल खुलते ही छुट्टी पर जाने के लिए गजब दुस्साहस चाहिए 😜

— Dr Kumar Vishvas (@DrKumarVishwas) February 23, 2015