Rahul a visionary, thinks about India first, says Youth Congress leader

A highly charged AICC meet, being held months ahead of the Lok Sabha 2014, is witnessing ecstatic crowds of Youth Congress workers who are demanding that Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi be named as the party's prime ministerial candidate, despite reports that the all-powerful Congress Working Committee (CWC) has decided otherwise.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi. PTI

After a rousing speech by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the clamour for Rahul only got louder. AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi's question to the cheering crowd whether there any doubt in their mind who their leader was further roused their excitement, forcing Rahul Gandhi to briefly address them, when he promised to share 'what was in his heart' when he gave his speech at 3.30 pm.

There is a lot of anticipation and optimism among youth Congress members, says Amrita Dhawan, a Youth Congress leader present at the AICC meet. Dhawan, who started off as a member of the NSUI (student wing of the Congress party), went on to become president of the Delhi University student union and, more recently, contested the Delhi Assembly election and lost.

Asked whether young members of the party were disappointed by reports of the imminent announcement of Rahul not being named the prime ministerial candidate, Dhawan said, "Why should we be disappointed. Things are yet to be declared. Let us see what happens."

On the clamour within the youth wing for his elevation, she said, "Everyone in the Congress wants him to take a bigger responsibility. Ultimately, it is the decision of the Congress Working Committee and his own. This election campaign will be a big opportunity to lead the party and ensure that we come back to power. Whatever role he is given, we are with him... And it is a matter of pride that he first took command of the Youth Congress and today he is shouldering much bigger responsibilities."

"Rahul Gandhi is a visionary. He doesn't think about himself, he thinks about the country. It is a big deal to young people that rather than being self-obsessed, his priority is the country," said Dhawan, explaining his appeal, "Also, the role and responsibilities of women workers within the party has grown. And I believe that if the Congress-led UPA wins by a big margin this time too, the Women's Reservation Bill will get a big impetus. When we go to the people we will bring up the issue of empowerment, on how the anti-corruption movement took off with the passage of the RTI Act. Then came the Right to Education, the Right to Food Act. We will go to people with the issues of rights and empowerment."

Speaking about the mood at the AICC meet, the young leader said, "With Rahul Gandhi taking on more responsibilities within the party, it has given workers hope and energy to move forward. And there is excitement and optimism here today. And we are waiting for direction on what role the Youth Congress will be playing in the battle 2014 Lok Sabha. Members have to be appointed and committees set up, ground campaigns have to begin because if the youth are convinced, the next generation will be convinced. We are waiting to hear what the message for us is."