New Youth Cong chief suspended

Patel (25) was the elected under the new system introduced by AICC general secretary in charge of Youth Congress,Rahul Gandhi. He was the youngest of all candidates.

The national general secretary of IYC,Varinder Singh,who handles UP affairs,said: “Soon after his election,Patel had got some rooms opened by breaking locks in order to accommodate the new office-bearers. I had served him a showcause notice but he did not bother to reply. Finally,the IYC president took a decision to suspend him.”

Party sources said the building housing the Youth Congress office in Lucknow was under the control of the state Congress and it had one room reserved for the UPCC president. This room was given to the UPCC cell of retired Army personnel. Tarun Patel captured even this room,sources said.

After the matter reached the Youth Congress headquarters in Delhi,the AICC secretary in-charge of IYC,Bhanwar Jitendra Singh,asked Patel to restore the room to those who had been using it,but he paid no heed.

The matter was then brought to the notice of Rahul Gandhi,who made it clear that indiscipline should not be allowed at any level.

Patel said he had not received any communication regarding his suspension.

“I think my leader Rahul Gandhi has been given wrong information about the episode,” Patel said. “I will seek an appointment to present my side of story.” He said certain leaders of the Youth Congress could not digest his victory in the election.

The IYC has been divided into four zones in UP — central,Bundelkhand,western and eastern zone. The Central Zone comprises 26 Lok Sabha constituencies and 131 Assembly constituencies. Elections for the post of president of the other three zones are still to be held.