Rahul Gandhi against criminals entering politics

Youth should join politics but they should not have a criminal background, the AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi said here today.

Gandhi, who is on a three-day visit of the state, was addressing a meeting of Youth Congress and NSUI workers.

In a question and answer session with the audience, Gandhi pointed to Meghna, daughter of Congress legislator Ramprasad Bordikar and asked those assembled whether they would elect her as she has political background.

"People replied that they will if she came through Youth Congress system," Meghna, a software consultant, said.

The Youth Congress will be strengthened through elections, Gandhi said. "Youth should come into politcs but they should not be from criminal background," he said.

Expressing opposition to 'dynasty politics', Gandhi said "I am also from Gandhi family.... Whoever will work will survive. Your work should speak for you, not just because you are related to someone."

Before the organisational elections in Youth Congress, "if you were nominated you would be selected, but that is no longer the case," he said.

"You say that politicians get scope but it is upto voters to elect them," he said. "We won't impose a leader. It will be through elections."

Gandhi asked the gathering how many people had relatives in politics. A few raised hands. "Only 10% people consistently stay in politics. The remaining 90% get sidelined," he said.