Rahul has energised Congress

RAHUL HAS DELIVERED ON ALL THE TASKS ASSIGNED TO HIM, AND HAS OPENED A FRONT IN UTTAR PRADESH

I had the privilege of watching history being repeated at Jaipur, as Rahul Ji proved the adage, ‘ like father like son’.

was also present at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium on December 28, 1985, when the then party president and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi delivered a memorable speech outlining the need for change, in the presence of legendary leader of the freedom struggle Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, who came all the way from Pakistan to attend the function.

Attacking brokers of power, Rajivji had said his mother Indira Gandhi had not given him any formula for his political journey, but had advised him to ‘ understand the real India, its people, ethos and problems.’

Perfectly fitting into his father’s shoes, Rahulji on January 20 talked about empowering every Indian. He said that power was highly centralised and those at the bottom felt left out and asked for a complete transformation of the system so that the youth of the country did not feel alienated.

Like Indiraji, Soniaji also had a few words to share with her son. In his speech, Rahulji emotionally said, “Last evening, every one of you congratulated me. But late in the night my mother came to my room and she sat and cried. Because she understands that the power that so many seek is poison. She can see it because she is not attached to it.”

I think Rahulji’s emotional speech at Jaipur was singularly responsible for the bonding of all Congressmen, be it Youth Congress and NSUI activists or leaders like Motilal Voraji. It even had a great impact on party cadres in particular and the countrymen in general.

Our critics say that except for a few, most of Rajivji’s cherished dreams could not see light of day despite his genuine urge to implement them and the same could happen with Rahulji’s vision. Rajivji was convinced that even if a lot of funds flew from the Centre for the welfare of the poor, the same could not reach the real beneficiaries, as middlemen siphoned them off. And that is why Rahulji is so interested in the implementation of the Direct Transfer of Benefits Scheme, popularly known as ‘ aapka paisa aapke haath ( your money in your hands)’. I believe that if the scheme is implemented successfully, it will become a game changer not for the party but for the people of this great country.

Our political opponents may try to propagate doubts about Rahulji’s ability to deliver, but one thing I can say for sure is that whatever job he has been assigned so far, he has delivered on them. As AICC general secretary in- charge of the Youth Congress and the NSUI, he chalked out a plan for the two frontal organisations and executed them with impeccable surgical deftness.

I shall be dishonest here if I don’t mention the outcome of the 2012 UP Assembly elections. The Congress’ vote share in the state went up by more than four per cent. Though the increase in the number of seats was not so remarkable, the increase in the percentage of votes is no mean achievement. In the

I had reservations about the skills of Youth Congress activists who were elected after Rahulji was made in- charge. After the Chintan Shivir, where I interacted with them, most of my doubts about their ability were removed

2009 general elections for the Lok Sabha too, in the increase in the number of seats from the previous nine to 22, Rahulji played a decisive role as a frontline leader

Coming back to his contribution to the youth wing, I must admit that personally I had some reservations about the political skills of Youth Congress activists who were elected after Rahulji was made in- charge. But after the Chintan Shivir, where I had interactions with elected representatives of the Youth Congress, most of my doubts about their ability were removed.

I am a Congressman who has been in the party for three generations. My grandfather was a Congress MLA in 1937 and my father was an MLA in Bihar from 1952 to 1977. I was elected MLA in 1985 and I am now a member of the CWC, the highest decision- making body of the party. Therefore, when Rahulji decries paratroopers, who flock for tickets before elections and disappear after they lose, it has a soothing effect on those party men who come from traditional Congress families.