Raipur (Chhattisgarh): Congress on Sunday said that Sonia Gandhi does not intend to retire and she will continue to be an active leader, a day after her speech at the party’s three-day 85th plenary session in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur triggered speculations about the end of her political innings.

According to an India Today report, on the concluding day of the party’s plenary session, Congress spokesperson Alka Lamba said, “Media should stop interpreting ma’am’s speech incorrectly. Ma’am said that she had never retired and never will.”

Lamba also urged the media to not make such interpretations.

According to media reports, Sonia Gandhi was seen smiling as Lamba made the statement.

Yesterday, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said, she was happy that her innings could end with the Bharat Jodo Yatra, setting off speculations that she might retire from active politics.

"Our victories in 2004 and 2009 under the able leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh gave me personal satisfaction, but what makes me happy is that my innings ended with the Bharat Jodo Yatra, a turning point for the Congress. It has proved that the people of India overwhelmingly want harmony, tolerance, and equality," Gandhi was quoted as saying by India Today.