New Delhi, Sept. 15: Sonia Gandhi handed her party a pleasant surprise today by calling and presiding over a meeting of the Congress’s central election committee at her home and betraying no signs of discomfort through the 65 minutes.

Senior Congress leaders emerged from the meeting in a jubilant mood, claiming the party president was fine, cheerful and poised to return to normal work after “some time”.

Sources revealed Sonia had already met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at 10 Janpath a few days ago and assured him there was no reason for worry over her health.

They said that following that meeting, Singh had told party colleagues that Sonia was “weak but fine” and expressed hope that she would be able to resume running the party’s affairs sooner than later. The Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed the meeting.

Some of those who attended today’s central election committee (CEC) meeting, called to select candidates for next year’s Uttar Pradesh polls, said Sonia was “cheerful” and “showed no discomfort”.

“She accepted flowers from the leaders and exchanged pleasantries,” one functionary said.

Sonia stepped out to receive the Prime Minister and saw him off after the meeting, a courtesy she has unfailingly shown since 2004.

“She was her usual self at the meeting; we noticed no difference,” Congress media cell chief Janardan Dwivedi said.

He said Sonia had begun clearing files a few days ago and taken a few decisions too. But he added that she might take some time to resume her regular routine because doctors had advised her rest.

Before surgery, Sonia’s day would start at 5am with yoga. She would then have fruits for breakfast, glance through the newspapers and get ready for work by 8am.

When Parliament was not in session, she would meet people from 10am to 1am and then from 4pm to 9pm.

The visitors were mostly party workers from across the country but included senior leaders and ministers. This strenuous routine is unlikely to be followed now.

Party insiders asserted that Sonia would continue to work as Congress president and denied that Rahul Gandhi was set to take over the party’s reins immediately.

There is no plan to make Rahul the working president, either, despite a clamour from some quarters to hand him “higher responsibilities”.

Today’s meeting sent a ripple of delight down the Congress hierarchy and ranks.