Congress under pressure after historic defeat, Ghulam Nabi Azad meets Sonia Gandhi

Ghulam Nabi Azad, a member of the G-23 group, which has been calling for major reforms in the grand old party, is meeting Sonia Gandhi in the backdrop of Congress’ poll drubbing in five states.

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New Delhi: Amid tussle in the party, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday (March 18) reached 10 Janpath to hold a key meeting with party president Sonia Gandhi. 

Azad, a member of the G-23 group, which has been calling for major reforms in the grand old party, is meeting Gandhi in the backdrop of Congress’ poll drubbing in five states. 

Earlier on Thursday, former Haryana Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda had met Rahul Gandhi. Hooda, a G-23 leader, was the first to reach out to the Congress High Command after the group's meeting at Azad`s residence in New Delhi on Wednesday. As per PTI sources, Rahul Gandhi had inquired about the meeting of the G-23 leaders and their resolution. Hooda and Gandhi also discussed a revamp of the party organisation, sources said. 

After their meeting at Azad's residence, the Group of 23 had called for an "inclusive and collective leadership" in the Congress. Releasing a joint statement, the dissident group leaders said, "In order to oppose BJP, it is necessary to strengthen the Congress party. We demand the Congress party to initiate dialogue with other like-minded forces to create a platform to pave way for a credible alternative for 2024." 

These meetings are viewed as an attempt by the Gandhi family to reach out to the G-23 leaders to resolve the internal conflict in the party. 

Earlier today, Azad also met veteran Congress leader Karan Singh, saying he met the latter to greet on Holi.

(With agency inputs)