Cong pools in talent to pick second rung in UP

These youths have been sent as returning officers for the organisational elections — for which a membership drive is currently on in the state’s 26 Lok Sabha constituencies. And their selection from the other states meant that they would not be aligned with local leaders.

All have good educational background and are fresh in politics. And unlike the traditional Youth Congress leaders,they are actually roughing it out.

“I reached Akbarpur (Ambedkar Nagar constituency) on November 4 and checked in a hotel,R D Lodge,” recalled Pravin Lokhande (29) who has done his Bachelor of Pharmacy course from Nasik,Maharashtra. He is happy with this assignment. “I am from the SC community and it is easy for me to visit Dalit slums and mobilise youths,” he said.

Ambedkar Nagar is reserved for SC candidates and the area is considered a stronghold of the ruling BSP.

Lokhande leaves his hotel at 8 am and visits different areas of the constituency. His job is to select Assembly Enrolment Officers (AEO) in all five assembly constituencies under the jurisdiction of Ambedkar Nagar Lok Sabha seat. “I remain in touch with local Congress leaders,young and old. I decide on my day’s itinerary and the meetings are organised by the local workers,” he said.

His meets Gram Pradhans. “I remind them that the Congress has not been in power in the state for the last 20 years. My plea is simple — I do not seek their votes right now. I invite them to join the organisation and develop their leadership quality,” he added.

Surendra Sharma,who is doing an MBA course from Symbiosis,Pune,has been tasked with mobilising youths in Mulayam Singh Yadav’s native Etawah.

“I tell youths that the phase of caste politics has almost come to an end,” said Sharma,who is from Himachal Pradesh.

Regarding his association with the Youth Congress,he said his family has been with the party for long. Etawah,he said,is a politically sensitive constituency. “So I have to examine every candidate carefully.”

Law graduate Raman Solanki,who is from Gujarat and is camping in Sitapur,said he shares his own experience with the youths. “I tell them about the benefit of an organisation. This is a system and will enable them to emerge as leaders,” he said.

He covers 10 to 12 villages a day for recruitment.

Meghna Patel,who has done her graduation from SNDT College,Mumbai,is tasked with mobilising youths in the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat.

“The best thing is that youths of UP has better understanding of politics,” she said. “We don’t bother about the number of members. We want to take our movement to the Panchayat level. So I continue to visit different villages and address gatherings of youths.” The general secretary of the Gujarat Youth Congress,this is her first visit to UP.

These returning officers distribute membership forms,collect money from the AEOs after the sale of forms and deposit it in the party account every day.

They have been given freedom to appoint AEO as per their choice.

“The AEO has important role,” said a source in the Youth Congress. He maintains an office during the membership drive. He must be neutral. “So,the returning officers select AEO as per their choice.”

The party has appointed Arvind Choudhari as the Pradesh Returning Officer (PRO).

“My job is to ensure proper implementation of the Election code. I remain in touch with the LROs and Zonal Returning Officers,” he said.