Rahul projected as Congress' Dhoni

NEW DELHI: India's T-20 World Cup victory was sought to be utilised by Congress to project Rahul Gandhi as a captain who would 'win the next big match'.

"The spirit of youth was reflected yesterday afternoon when Rahul Gandhi took over an important position and Dhoni and his team delivered a magnificent victory to India," AICC spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.

"I have no doubt that Rahul Gandhi will return the compliment by decisively winning the next big match," he said.

The coincidence was unmistakable as Congress, apparently with an eye on possible mid-term polls, inducted fresh blood into the party leadership on a day when the Indian team, a bunch of young players led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, lifted the T-20 World Cup in Johannesburg.

'Heir-apparent' Rahul was made a General Secretary and a CWC member besides being included into the publicity committee and a new 'Group to Look into Future Challenges'.

There had been a long-standing demand from a large number of party leaders that the 37-year-old scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family take up a more active role in the organisation.

Besides Rahul, the other young leaders who have found places in the AICC secretariat include Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ajay Maken, Priya Dutt, Milind Deora, Sachin Pilot, Jitin Prasad and Sandeep Dikshit.

A senior leader also indicated that some young faces would be inducted into the government in the reshuffle of the Union Cabinet that is expected to take place soon.