Rahul makes politics a fair game with democracy within

The last time this many party flags and posters featuring benevolently smiling politicians erupted outside a sprawling park in the Capital, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mayawati was in town to kick off her election campaign at the inauguration of iconic Dalit Prerna Sthal dedicated to Dalit leaders. The present occasion for party paraphernalia outside the massive Japanese Park in North West Delhi is her bête noire Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, fresh from his five-day tour of Uttar Pradesh, kicking off the two-day national convention of the Youth Congress that has been christened ‘Buniyaad’  (foundation). The only icon at this park, as far as the 8000-odd delegates who’ve gathered from across 20 states, braving Delhi’s winter in the make-shift tents at the venue where they’ll spend the night, was their leader Rahul Gandhi. “We are here because of Rahul Gandhi. It is his vision that young people from the villages should come to the fore and actively participate in politics,” said Ritheesh Kumar, a Youth Congress member from Kerala. [caption id=“attachment_142706” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Renu Paliwal, a youth congress member from Rajasthan. Naresh Sharma”] [/caption] Unfortunately, many of the delegates from the southern states had to be content with looking at their leader without following what he said during his short speech. Asked what Gandhi’s message to them was, Kumar seemed disappointed when he said, “The speech was in Hindi, we couldn’t follow.” Notwithstanding the glitches, for the thousands of delegates the convention is an opportunity to meet national leaders and network with members from different states. Said 27-year-old Soyeb Shaikh, whose father runs a small transport business in Gujarat, “I have never sat on a stage or met politicians before. Youth Congress has given us recognition. Each of us who is today has won an election. Unlike before we don’t have to depend on references of politicians to become party workers.” [caption id=“attachment_142694” align=“alignright” width=“300” caption=“Amanatullah, general secretary of the youth congress, Uttar Pradesh West. Naresh Sharma”] [/caption] For some, this is their visit to the Capital. Like Renu Paliwal, a teacher of political science from Rajasthan, who joined the Youth Congress last year. “Introducing internal election is a big step towards fighting corruption. Within one year, I have been elected to the LYC (Loksabha Youth Congress) and I am here, seeing Delhi for the first time. Internal democracy gives each an opportunity to establish oneself and not have to depend on the whims of others.” Paliwal, who said she has had the opportunity to speak to Rahul Gandhi during a training programme in Jhansi, described the Congress general secretary as ‘interactive, energetic and someone with who believes on democracy.” All geared up for the upcoming assembly election, the 300-strong contingent from Uttar Pradesh is awaiting the “message from our leader.” Said Amanatullah, 30-year-old general secretary of the Uttar Pradesh West, whose association with the Congress dates back to his college days when he was a member of the NSUI (National Students Union of India, the student wing of the Congress), “The time has to tighten up our belts. We have to win UP. Rahul Gandhi has laid the foundation and it is up to the candidates to pull it off. We as members of the youth congress are waiting for his message. When it comes, we will follow it. There will be a training process next month for youth congress members to prepare for the election campaign.” The first day of the convention saw Home Minister P Chidambaram, Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath and Defence Minister AK Anthony make an appearance at the convention. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi are expected to address the members tomorrow (29 November).