Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, whose absence from the Lok Sabha was noticed by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee while presenting the Union Budget for 2011-12, has injured himself while exercising and has been advised complete rest for four weeks.

According to a senior Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi fractured his right leg while exercising at a fitness centre.

"Since his leg is plastered, he has been advised four weeks rest by the doctors," the sources in the Congress party said.

Only last week Rahul made headlines when he helped an injured person in a road accident in New Delhi and took him to the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in his own vehicle along with the security personnel for medical attention.

Meanwhile, he had been invited by his cousin and firebrand Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi to attend his wedding ceremony on March 6. The injury may prevent him from attending the family wedding.

Image: Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi