‘Rahulji’ orders Amethi Cong database: shirt, shoe size, blood group, cell number

“Rahulji takes a lot of interest in party workers and is very meticulous and technical. He says we should have a ready database with all the details, as we may need it some time. So we just completed the exercise last week, with the shoe sizes, blood groups, shirt and trouser sizes and so on,” said Bhola Nath Tiwari, Congress in-charge at Amethi.

“We also got directions to keep a record of their photographs and mobile numbers, so we are planning to buy a camera. We have already collected the mobile numbers of about 800 party cadres,” said Tiwari, adding, “there is also news that block presidents will be sent for training to Delhi or somewhere, but we have not got any details on that yet”.

In fact, Rahul’s recent elevation as the party’s general secretary in charge of the Youth Congress has set off quite a wave of anticipation in Amethi. The nyay panchayats themselves are a Rajiv legacy, although they remained somewhat forgotten till Rahul revived them. Recently, he shunted out the old guard to ensure that only those below 35 years were nyay panchayat presidents.

However, Congress sources in Rae Bareli claimed that there were no plans of a makeover. “The measurements of some party cadres were taken, but that is a routine affair. It is for the T-shirts and trousers that the party always provides. Any dress code change will have to be finalised by the CWC,” said Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of Rahul.