No discussions with Rahul on change of guard: Niranjan

Bhubaneswar: To clear the air over his recent New Delhi visit, at a time when All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Rahul Gandhi had informed that there would not be any changes in the existing leadership of state units, former Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief Niranjan Patnaik today informed mediapersons that he had had no discussions on those lines with the party chief.

"I have not met or discussed any political issue with any senior leader. We have given the authority to Rahul Gandhi, he can change the leadership if needed and in case of no change we will create an environment to work together," said Niranjan.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders Chiranjib Biswal and Jagannath Patnaik today had a meeting with Niranjan at his residence today.

"I came to give him New Year wishes. Rahul Gandhi is our top leader, as a disciplined Congress member we will adhere to his decisions," said Biswal.

It is worthwhile to mention that Prasad Harichandan will continue to be the president of OPCC following the decision taken by Rahul to retain the existing leaderships.

Earlier, there were rumours that AICC would replace Harichandan after party’s failure in the ZP polls under his leadership.