Money not criteria to become a leader: Rahul

Raipur, May 18, 2012

Money is not the criteria to become a political leader. If you really want to become a leader then you must learn to struggle for justice. The words were expressed by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi while he was addressing the NSUI members at Rajkumar College.

In his brief speech, he gave several inputs to the NSUI members to elevate in politics. He said the party commenced polling system in YC and NSUI to bring change in both the organisations. “This is how the youth will learn to take responsibility and upcoming challenges,” he said.

He clarified that he was in search of hardworking student leaders who believe in action instead of speech. He said among the massive gathering, even if 15-student leaders would put their full might, they would succeed in changing the state as well as the country’s condition.

“There are many student leaders who want to lead luxurious life and refrain from going to rural areas. But only those workers will progress in YC and NSUI who would fight for common man,” he said adding that he wanted dynamic personalities in his team.

He urged the NSUI members to work unitedly and help in consolidating Congress. He said factionalism had no place in the party and its frontal organisations and everyone should join hands to take on BJP in next elections.  

Before Gandhi, the NSUI programme was addressed by PCC president Nandkumar Patel, CLP leader Ravindra Choubey, NSUI national president Rohit Choudhary and NSUI national incharge Girish Kumar. Earlier, NSUI state president Devendra Yadav and vice president Subodh Haritwal welcomed Gandhi.

NSUI’s six district heads awarded

Rahul Gandhi awarded six NSUI district presidents for their outstanding contribution in welfare of the students. The district presidents who received awards were – Pradeep Sahu – Raipur, Anand Singh – Kawardha, Rakesh Pandey – Raigarh, Amitesh Rai – Bilaspur, Amit Bhadra – Narayanpur and Saddam Raza – Jagdalpur.

‘NSUI poll process too expensive’

While Rahul Gandhi was interacting with the NSUI members, one member stood and said that the organisational poll procedures were too expensive. “This was the reason that I could not fight NSUI polls,” he said. Gandhi assured him of bringing down poll expenditure in future so that apt candidates could come forward.

Rahul asks VC to switch off cell phone

When Rahul Gandhi started speaking at NSUI programme, the cell phone of senior Congress leader Vidya Charan Shukla rang and diverted Gandhi’s attention towards him. As Shukla received the call, Gandhi requested him to switch off his cell phone. Shukla instantly followed Gandhi’s instruction.