‘Youth leaders are just for namesake’

Abdul Siddiqui is a Media student and a youth leader of Congress in Bhiwandi. In a no-holds- barred conversation, he gives an insight of his life as a youth leader and discusses few important things about the upcoming elections.

Describe your role as a youth leader.

The concept ‘youth leaders’ is a sham. They are just for namesake. We just have a nominal position. There is no participation from our side. The party leaders and members don’t involve us in any legal or authoritarian matters.  During festive celebrations or rallies, we are summoned and we just stand as showpieces. We aren’t involved in any activities of the party. Moreover, the youth leaders and members are necessarily sons/relatives of party leaders and members. It’s just that they want to remain in public eye, hence the formation of youth and student unions.

What are the prospects of Congress in the upcoming elections?

Nothing has been decided as such. Most probably, Mr. Manmohan Singh would be the Prime Ministerial candidate.We are putting our best foot forward to emerge as a winner in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Due to so much of propaganda of Narendra Modi, does Congress feels the pressure?

Definitely not! BJP and Narendra Modi are on a self-promotion spree. Due to so much propaganda of Narendra Modi, many of their party leaders are apprehended. That’s evident as recently Nitish Kumar stepped out of NDA. Due to too much endorsement of Narendra Modi, BJP is digging its own grave and definitely, Congress will take advantage of this.

Describe the situation in Bhiwandi constituency.

The main problem with Bhiwandi constituency is that there is no co-ordination between the MPs and local leaders. MPs loathe local leaders. Both of them try to pull each other’s legs.  If the statistics are anything to go by, none of the Congress person of Bhiwandi  has become a Mayor yet. Due to so much differences between the two, the local people have to suffer because their issues aren’t addressed.

If in the upcoming elections, Congress emerges as winner in your constituency, what would be the future strategies and plans?
Right now, our plan of action and strategy is to invoke people’s trust in us.  Bhiwandi is an upcoming city and we shall try our best to better the conditions here. We resolve to provide good education facilities, build better roads and create an environment of peace and harmony.