New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress has suspended more than 200 office-bearers for not attending the INDIA bloc’s rally in New Delhi on November 1. The rally, held at Ramlila Maidan, was led by Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders. It targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged problems in electoral rolls and claims of vote theft.
The Youth Congress announced the action on its official social media accounts. In total, 215 office-bearers from seven states and the Uttar Pradesh Central unit were suspended. Suspension orders began coming out on November 2 and 3. The party said the workers showed “organisational indiscipline” by staying away.
The BJP has used the suspensions to attack Rahul Gandhi. It says members of his own youth wing did not attend his rally.
Leader Says He Was at Funeral Ritual
One suspended leader is Rohit Rajoria, general secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress. He said he could not attend because his family was observing his uncle’s terahvin, a ritual held on the 13th day after a death, as reported by India Today.
“I have been treated unjustly. My uncle’s 13th-day death ritual was being held at home. How could I have gone to Delhi? I had duly informed people in the organisation about it. Despite this, I was suspended,” Rajoria told Aaj Tak’.
He said the party did not send him a show-cause notice before suspending him. Rajoria said he has worked with the NSUI and Youth Congress since 2010. He said he has faced police action, gone to jail three times and has 12 cases against him.
“I have faced countless lathi blows for the party since 2010. I have been jailed three times and have 12 cases registered against me. After all this, I have been treated unjustly. Why has this happened to me?” he said.
Rajoria Questions Neha Bora’s Importance
Rajoria also questioned why AISA president Neha Bora is getting so much importance in Congress-related events.
“Promote Neha Bora, but give people like us responsibilities too. Workers who have struggled for the organisation for years should not be treated like this,” he said.
He said he would raise the matter with Congress leaders and may meet Rahul Gandhi if needed.
Bora has appeared with Rahul Gandhi at several recent events. She joined his press conference on student protests on July 25, marched with him and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra towards the Supreme Court on October 12, attended a meeting at his home on October 13, and took part in the Congress-backed mock Parliament on October 31.
Others Give Personal Reasons
Other suspended leaders also gave personal reasons. Maihar district president Saurabh Sharma said he was attending a celebration for his elder brother’s son, born after 12 years. Vice-president Shivraj Singh Yadav said he was busy with his younger sister’s wedding. Anuppur president Manvendra Mishra and two other leaders said they were unwell.
The Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress said action was taken only against those who did not attend and did not inform the party in advance.
BJP Attacks Rahul Gandhi
BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan used the issue to criticise Rahul Gandhi.
“Rahul Gandhi, let alone the 73% of youths mentioned in your mock poll, even Youth Congress office bearers of your party consider you utterly unfit and incompetent, which is why they snubbed you by boycotting your failed rally,” he told PTI.
He also accused Gandhi of using “mock polls, mock parliament and other imbalanced stunts” to divert attention from the suspensions.