Sonia 'bunks' to be with students

After a politically volatile week that saw the exit of her party's two union ministers, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today took time off to "bunk" political work and spend a while with students of Jamia Millia Islamia University here.
"...My young friends, students. I am delighted to be here in this magnificent university..I am also delighted because I don't often get the opportunity to spend a little while with students and for another reason and that is I can bunk my class," Gandhi said with a smile after laying the foundation stone for a girls' hostel there.
Sporting a light green sari, Gandhi arrived at the venue ten minutes before the scheduled time.

She expressed her happiness over the university's plan to name a ground in the campus after cricket legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.
"The VC has told me that it is going to be named after Mansoor Ali Khan, arguably India's greatest cricket captain and without doubt one of our most charismatic sportspersons," Gandhi said.
She also had a brief chat with students in the ground immediately after the conclusion of the function. However, she had left by the time the journos could approach her for a bite.
For the last few days, Congress has been trying to dispel the perception of differences between the party and the government and dismissing reports of a rift between Gandhi and the Prime Minister over the exit of Union Ministers.

Gandhi's speech at the UPA II's fourth anniversary on May 22 will be keenly watched.