50 below 50: Cong’s likely new formula

Udaipur, May 13: The Congress is likely to adopt a “50 below 50” formula under which 50 per cent representation in the party organisation — from block to the CWC level — would be given to those under 50 years of age.

The party said it is also deliberating on an employment guarantee scheme for the youth and asserted that all measures under discussion at the party’s Chintan Shivir here could be implemented in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh where it is in power.

Addressing a press conference here, Congress general secretary Ajay Maken said a proposal of at least 50 per cent representation for youth from bottom to Congress in the party organisation is being deliberated.

“There is a discussion ongoing over this and we will take this thing forward,” he said.

At another presser, some members of youth and empowerment committee, formed by Sonia Gandhi to lead discussions at the Chintan Shivir which began here Friday, listed the problems being faced by youths in the country such as rising unemployment. so eloquent Prime Minister when the healing touch is most needed”.

She also charged the BJP-led government of “wholesale reinvention of history”, constant denigration of its leaders, especially Jawaharlal Nehru and the systematic move to distort, deny and destroy their contributions, their achievements and their sacrifices. “It means glorifying the killers of Mahatma Gandhi,” the Congress president said.

Gandhi alleged that the government was turning a blind eye to continued atrocities across the country on weaker sections, especially Dalits, Adivasis and women. She also charged that the Centre was using fear to make the bureaucracy, corporate India, sections of the civil society and the media fall in line. She also exhorted the Congress rank and file to take a collective and individual resolve to bring the party in the same position it once had so that the current ‘excesses’ by those in power stop.