"Met Manmohan Singh, Haven't Met Rahul Gandhi In 4 Years": Congress Leader

Prithviraj Chavan is part of the G-23, a group of dissident leaders who are pressing for organizational reforms in the Congress.

Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, a member of a group of dissidents in the party, has said that he has not been able to meet senior leader Rahul Gandhi in the last four years.

There was no 'chintan' or introspection at the recent Congress conclave in Udaipur, he told the Times of India podcast which released on Thursday.

“I occasionally meet Dr Manmohan Singh whenever I am in Delhi. But his health is not what it used to be earlier. He is always hospitable and ready to talk. I have also met Sonia Gandhi whenever I sought time, but I haven't been able to meet Rahul Gandhi for long time...I think in four years. There is a complaint that the party leadership is not as accessible as it should be,” said Mr Chavan during the interview.

The former Union minister is part of the G-23, a group of dissident leaders who are pressing for organizational reforms in the Grand Old Party which has suffered one electoral setback after another in the recent years. Speaking about the Udaipur meeting, Mr Chavan said the Congress president had agreed to hold a "chintan shibir" to discuss the issues before the party, but someone "more loyal than the king" decided that a chintan or introspection wasn't needed.