Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] disclosed on Thursday that he had offered a ministerial post to Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi [Images] who had refused it.

"I wanted him to become a minister for a long time but he has been refusing," the Prime Minister told media persons when asked about the role of the youth leaders in the party, particularly Gandhi.

Observing that he saw "a larger role for all young people in our party", he said "ultimately (it was) the youth who should be handed over the power."

Reacting to Singh's statement, Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said it only reflected the prime minister's desire to give a prominent role for youth in the government.

However, she said Congress President Sonia Gandhi [Images] has already made it clear that Singh would be the prime ministerial candidate of the party for the upcoming elections.