Rahul Gandhi plans night out with YC leaders

Monday night Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will bring to the Capital his version of mass contact.

Monday night Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will bring to the Capital his version of mass contact.

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The Congress general secretary is likely to spend the night in a tent with the Youth Congress delegates who will be in the city for a two-day national convention.

Staying or breaking bread with the underprivileged during visits to rural areas has become the 41-year-old leader’s trademark. He will now be using the same approach to bond with the Youth Congress (YC) members.

When he took charge of the YC and the party’s student wing — National Students Union of India — in 2007, Gandhi initiated a “democratisation process”, which included organisational elections.

Buniyad, or foundation, is the first-ever national conference organised by the YC for its elected office-bearers. More than 8,000 of them will discuss the issues confronting the youth and the country.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, union ministers and party functionaries are expected at the meet. Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, too, will be there.

While Madhya Pradesh wing chief Priyavrat Singh is believed to be ahead in the race, there is also talk of a woman taking charge of the organisation.

Information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni is the only woman to have served as the Youth Congress president (1975 to 1977).

Indrani Mishra from West Bengal, say sources, could spring a surprise.