Make your voice heard at every tier, says Rahul Gandhi to tribals

Exhorting tribal youth to take a plunge into politics, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today said this was the only way to make their voices heard in the system.

"The tribal youth should come forward and make their voice heard politically at panchayats, vidhan sabhas and Parliament and see how the world will sit up and listen to them," Gandhi said during a question-answer session with the activists of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) here.

Citing examples of popular tribal leaders in states like Mizoram and Manipur, Gandhi said the tribal youth in Jharkhand should also come forward.

"Make Jharkhand government your own. If the government does not listen, I will support you and open the doors of our organisation," he said.

Pointing out that the days to thrust leaders on an organisation have gone, he said, "things have changed. No leader will be imposed on you and you can choose your own."

When Gandhi asked a tribal NSUI participant about his priorities if he became a national leader, he said, "I will eliminate corruption, which in turn will root out poverty."

"I lost count," replied another when Gandhi asked how many 'corrupt leaders' Jharkhand had.

To yet another question as to what steps the tribal participant would take to control corruption (if he became a leader), pat came the reply that the CBI would be entrusted with the job.

"But how many cases would you give to CBI... and the bureaucrats may not help you either!" Gandhi explained adding "only making your voice heard in Parliament can meet your priorities, and I am there to support you."