Udupi: Rahul Gandhi on a tour on Karnataka, this week, from Hubli to Bijapur to Udupi expressed a desire to have those not associated with politics so far to be members of his party in the youth wing. That rules out ABVP and other group (Morcha) members from coming into Sonia Congress.
Rahul is touring the state to create an active awareness among youngsters to be Youth Congress members. He held discussions at the Shyamili Hall in Ambalapady near Udupi on Wednesday. If elders or parents were involved in some kind of politics, youths coming from such political families were ruled out by Rahul. This is a major change he wanted in Congress party ranks, he added.
He told youngmen that corrupt prevailed since long years but after right to Information Act (RTI) was passed, stories multiplied on corruption in the length and breadth of the country. Soon a (Jan) Lokpal bill was come into existence, he pointed out. He was against corruption primarily, and fought for elections fair and just on a priority basis, he declared.
Rahul Gandhi stated that poor people who wanted work and honest income by labour had benefited by the Central Govt. scheme of guaranteed employment in developmental works undertaken in rural areas, he felt.
Gandhi criticised the BJP in Karnataka for wallowing in dirty politics and massive corruption, in a hard manner. Replying to scribes’ questions, he claimed that opposition (in state) had no power to punish the corrupt rulers, but Congress had a fool-proof system to punish any corrupt politician. RTI Act allowed the common people to bring to light unknown corrupt practices officials and legislators/parliamentarians. As RTI had led to more transparency in administration, the Lokpal Bill will also be able to expose corruption cases by the dozen. So, Congress would help pass the Jan Lok Pal Bill, he explained.
Rahul fully supported women entering politics, as they were more sensitive in affairs than the men, he told a woman. Congress AT Centre cannot prevent state level corruption, he said in answer to another query. Again, rural level politics could bring sweeping changes in today’s political ways, he said.
Rahul’s interaction programme drew 4,000 young Congressmen, on April 20. Pressmen were not allowed inside the Hall. KPCC Chief Dr.G.Parameshwara, local MP Oscar Fernandez and state opposition leader Siddaramaiah, were present at the give-and –take discussions.
Gandhi arrived at Adi Udupi helipad, when DK Congress leaders greeted him there. Former Udupi Unit chief M.A Gafoor welcomed and compered the programme. National Youth Congress Rajeeva Sadhwa, AICC Gen.Secy., Madhusudhan Mistry, Kerala MP/Secretary Shani Mol were present.