‘Youth Cong must be a cohesive force’

BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi

June 3: AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday asked the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) to be more than just a political organisation and act as a cohesive force in society.

Mr Gandhi, addressing the concluding session of the two-day workshop of IYC office-bearers here, is said to have asked the delegates to take on extensive works in the social arena.

"His idea of the youth organisation is not just a stepping stone to the Congress ranks, but he wants us to act as a catalyst of social change," IYC spokesman Pradeep Kumar said, adding his idea is to bring the best talent to the political sphere by way of youth activities.

Presidents of the state units of Karnataka, Orissa, MP and Chhattisgarh also presented detailed reports of Mr Gandhi’s toured of their states last month.

Mr Gandhi, after taking over as general secretary in charge of the party’s youth wing (IYC and NSUI), has initiated an extensive membership drive across the country.

The conclave was attended by national office-bearers and state presidents of the IYC along with organisation president Ashok Tanwar and Union minister and AICC secretary Jitendra Prasada.

Mr Gandhi had a brush with a group of agitated mediapersons who walked out of a function attended by him here after he did not oblige them with a comment on a party meeting.

Mr Gandhi was pestered for a comment when he reached Teen Murti Bhavan to address the concluding session of the conclave.

The media wanted him to speak about the Congress’ "Future Challenges Group" meet that he attended earlier. Mr Gandhi, however, did not oblige.