NEW DELHI: Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has ruled out premature retirement, scotching the speculations that she could call it a day in 2016 when she turns 70.

Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan asked the Congress chief about the retirement speculations during a meeting.

“I have never said this,” Paswan quoted her as saying in response.

The rejoinder is seen as refuting the reports that began swirling recently in the wake of her illness as well as Rahul Gandhi’s belated enthusiasm about the leadership role.

It is likely to come as a relief to many parties and allies who prefer continuity against the volatility of change that they expect to result from Rahul Gandhi’s unconventional approach to politics.

Sonia Gandhi is seen as the sheet-anchor of UPA and has displayed sensitivity to the needs of allies, a reason why the allies are seen to prefer her in the leadership role.

During his meeting too, Paswan asked Sonia to take a lead role in uniting the secular parties before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

“I told her that BJP will not come to power even though it may have allies like Shiv Sena and Akali Dal and a few other parties. So, there is a possibility of only UPA being able to form the next government,” he said.

Even within Congress, Sonia is seen to play the role of the stabiliser. During the recent controversy kicked off by Rahul Gandhi’s public outburst against the ordinance on convicted lawmakers, Sonia reached out to prime minister Manmohan Singh in public addresses to soothe any frayed nerves.