'DNA' edit: Many of our leaders have no political legacy or godfather

The Congress has contributed to the freedom struggle and one cannot deny the sacrifices made by the Nehru-Gandhi family even after Independence.

Many people question Rahul Gandhi’s leadership without knowing many facts. Being the Youth Congress state unit president, I know that he has been transforming this wing for eight years. It is Rahulji who has brought changes by bringing in internal democracy within the party through Youth Congress elections.

Many Youth Congress presidents in the state have come from a humble background without any political legacy or godfather. We have a president who is a newspaper vendor, while the other stays in a small house admeasuring even less than 10x10 feet room. This change is only because of the reforms brought within the party by Rahulji.

The general misconception that it is easy to become party office-bearers if one is related to a politician or minister is untrue. I was a rank-and-file member before becoming the general secretary of Sangli unit for the first few years. Later, I was appointed state unit general secretary and also became vice-president. I had to contest an election that was held in a democratic manner to become the state unit president.

We have to give monthly report in addition to scrutiny by external observers. Our performance is judged on the basis of our services and how much it has helped the common man and the party.
Congress is a big party and we are proud to have Rahulji as our leader who is taking up more responsibilities after becoming the party’s vice-president.

Chalo Panchayat Abhiyaan launched by our party in Maharashtra has yielded desired results. I don’t think that regional parties who have their ideology based on hatred would succeed and last long. Only the political party that serves the people will last, and the Youth Congress is diligently pursuing this goal.