Even as Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has directed all state units to nurture youth cadres of the party through the Youth Congress, the District Congress Committee (DCC) Urban, Ludhiana, is doling out senior posts of general secretary to youth workers.
In fact, the post of general secretary, that till now was held by only senior leaders, has become a seat to adjust fresh faces in the party, and with an eye on polls, has been used as a way out to “satisfy and adjust” different factions.
Ignoring the seniority of many leaders, in recent around two months, the DCC has given appointment letters to more than five youth workers.
Three such appointments done by the DCC include Tikshan Mehta, Daman Khosla and Vikram Phalwan, all aged less than 30. Notably, the number of general secretaries in the DCC has crossed more than 50 - an all-time high in any district of Punjab.
However, DCC chief Pawan Dewan said the leaders had been given the post as per their eligibility and potential, and there was nothing wrong in appointing fresh blood.
“The DCC team has always been a mix of experienced and fresh workers. We have to train the future leaders also, which is why youth leaders have been given these posts,” Dewan said, denying that the senior leaders had been ignored.
{{/usCountry}}“The DCC team has always been a mix of experienced and fresh workers. We have to train the future leaders also, which is why youth leaders have been given these posts,” Dewan said, denying that the senior leaders had been ignored.
{{/usCountry}}However, those opposing the DCC chief on his move have already taken up the matter with Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Partap Bajwa.
Sources in the PPCC office said Bajwa had also verbally instructed the DCC not to make any such appointments without consulting him.
“The DCC's general secretary post is highly prestigious, and till now has been held by senior leaders only. The way the DCC is doling out these posts to inexperienced workers, has diluted the prestige of these posts,” stated a former state secretary of the PPCC.
The leaders from different factions are also planning to take up the matter with the PPCC chief who is scheduled to visit the Ludhiana in first week of October.