Rahul's poll mantra: Connect youth, politics

TALENT HUNT: Rahul Gandhi says the youth were not being given a chance in Indian politics.

Ads by Google

ibnlive.com is on mobile now. Read news, watch videos
be a Citizen Journalist. Log on to m.ibnlive.com NOW!

Related Stories

• Rahul justifies his disappearing act in Orissa

• Rahul's detour into Naxal area angers Orissa MLAs

• Rahul to tour naxal-hit Orissa to woo young India

Photogallery

Find us on Facebook | Join IBNLive community

Stay ahead with G-Talk Buddy | Click now!

  

New Delhi: It's day two of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's 'Discover India' tour in Orissa. Through Rahul's tour, the Congress is hoping to lure more youth into its ranks and Rahul has spoken at Gunupur on that very issue.

He said the youth were not being given a chance in Indian politics, including in his own party.

Rahul will address a student rally in Bhubaneswar, a tribal and dalit rally in Bamara, and youth rallies in Banki and Rourkela.

The 37-year-old leader who began his four-day tour on Friday plans to address the issues of education and employment.

"In every party, including Congress, I see that there is no space for the younger lot. You have to work together with a new force and involve the youth in the initiative," PTI quoted Rahul Gandhi as saying.

Change was possible only if young people joined the political process, Gandhi said addressing a rally here in memory of his father and late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

This place is significant for the Congress party as well as the Gandhi scion as Rajiv had addressed his last political rally from here before being assassinated in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu.

"Seventeen years have gone since my father passed away. He was not my father alone. In fact, he was the voice of the Indian youth. With the death of Rajiv Gandhi it was the voice of the country's youth that faded away," he added.

Continuing his tirade against the Orissa government, Gandhi said earlier he used to think that Uttar Pradesh was the most backward state, but he has changed his opinion after visiting Orissa.

Gandhi said he would give opportunities to youngsters to work with the Youth Congress and the NSUI, which is a true youth organisation of the country.

"There is no discrimination on the basis of religion and caste," he said.

Meanwhile, the Youth Congress is holding a massive membership drive on the sidelines of the Gandhi scion's four-day rally in the state.