Senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee, who has been presiding over Congress Working Committee meetings since Gandhi's resignation as party president, told a private TV channel that Gandhi had surrendered her Italian passport to Indian authorities on April 27, 1983.

In recent weeks, questions have been raised by media and political parties whether Gandhi has surrendered her Italian passport.

Congress rebels - Sharad Pawar, PA Sangma and Tariq Anwar - had last week questioned Gandhi's credentials for prime ministership in view of her foreign origin.