India's ruling Congress Party says its leader, Sonia Gandhi, has traveled abroad to undergo surgery for an undisclosed medical condition.
A party spokesman told reporters Thursday that Gandhi could be away for two to three weeks. He did not say what the operation was for, but local media reports say it could be taking place in the United States.
The spokesman initially caused confusion in the reporting of Gandhi's condition, telling reporters that she had already undergone surgery, before later retracting the statement.
He said a four-member group has been appointed to run the party in her absence. The group includes her son Rahul, who is widely seen as a future prime minister.
Born in Italy, the 64-year-old Gandhi is considered India's most powerful politician. She is the widow of assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. She declined calls to become prime minister after being credited with leading her Congress Party to victory in the 2004 elections.