Indian leader Sonia Gandhi at work after surgery

NEW DELHI (AP) — India's ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi has resumed work six weeks after undergoing surgery abroad for an undisclosed ailment.

Digvijay Singh, a top party leader, says Gandhi looks "healthy and cheerful" and participated in discussions at a party meeting on Thursday.

The meeting was held to choose nominees for forthcoming state legislature elections in northern Uttar Pradesh state.

Gandhi, 64, returned home last week after spending nearly five weeks abroad. Her party has given no details of her illness or the location of the hospital where she underwent surgery. News reports have said the operation took place in the United States.

She is the widow of slain former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.