Click to play videoNew Delhi: Ridiculed by the Opposition as a party of veterans not so long ago, Verdict 2009 has unveiled the Congress's young and dynamic face. Of the 266 MPs under the age of 50 elected to Parliament this time, 77 are from the Congress. And leading the charge of the yuva brigade is Rahul Gandhi.
"I have a job to do. It is to help the youth join politics and change the way politics works in this country," he had said.
And Rahul Gandhi began this change with the Youth Congress. As General Secretary, the 39-year-old overhauled the NSUI and Youth Congress. He introduced interviews and elections for NSUI posts.
Congress MP Sachin Pilot said, "We must thank Rahul Gandhiji for enthusing the youth to be part of the political process. More and more young people will be given an opportunity now."
Rahul himself handpicked 10 Youth Congress leaders to contest the General Elections. The formula worked and eight out of the chosen 10 have become MPs.
Sirsa MP and President Haryana Youth Congress, Ashok Tanwar said, "Rahul Gandhi gave us a free hand and fixed accountability. The Youth Congress has shown that given a chance, we can spin success stories."
But with Rahul himself reluctant to take on a Cabinet berth, will the young turks get key positions in the new Cabinet?
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said, "Age should not be a category. Capability should be a category. If you are capable, you should be a minister and it doesn't matter if you are 35 or 90."
It was perhaps the youth card that charmed 10 crore first timers into voting and the youth can take heart in the fact that they have elected a young and vibrant Parliament.
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