New Delhi: A day after maintaining Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi had not formally joined the party, Congress today (Jan 22, 2004) said they are its "primary members".

"Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi are integral part of the Congress and they are its primary members," party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters in New Delhi in reply to questions.

He, however, did not give details saying, "I will give you all information later as to when did they join and where."

"Historically, they are in the party and technically, yes, they are primary members," he said, adding that they are the fifth generation of the Nehru-Gandhi family to serve the organisation and the country.