Thomas denies Rahul, Anna aide meeting

Congress MP PT Thomas on Monday dismissed media reports about a meeting between party general secretary Rahul Gandhi and the sarpanch of Anna Hazare’s village Ralegaon Siddhi on Tuesday as “false and baseless”.

Congress MP PT Thomas on Monday dismissed media reports about a meeting between party general secretary Rahul Gandhi and the sarpanch of Anna Hazare’s village Ralegaon Siddhi on Tuesday as “false and baseless”.

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Thomas issued a clarification saying he was surprised to see reports claiming that sarpanch Jaisingh Mapari has been called for talks with Gandhi.

“When I visited Ralegaon Siddhi in September, the sarpanch and the deputy sarpanch expressed their desire to meet Rahul Gandhi. Accordingly, they sent a letter to me on September 10, requesting to arrange a meeting,” he said.

However, no meeting has been confirmed, he said, adding “media reports to the contrary are entirely false and baseless”.

Gandhi’s office also denied any such meeting taking place on Tuesday. “No appointment has been sought so far. There is not even an indication to show a desire on their part…,” a Gandhi aide said.