Youth Cong to mount membership drive

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JULY 18. The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) will soon launch an all- India membership campaign, the IYC's national president, Mr. Randeep Singh Surjewala, said today while interacting with presspersons after the conclusion of the meeting of its national executive and State presidents here.

In the first phase towards building a strong cadre, Mr. Surjewala said the two-day meeting decided that the IYC would also hold organisational elections to set up committees at block, panchayat and ward levels.

Mr. Surjewala said the drive, to be carried out in every district and State, would see the organisation strengthening further.

He said that Ms. Sonia Gandhi, while addressing the meeting, appreciated the work done by the and asked the IYC workers to make the membership drive a success. Ms. Gandhi exhorted workers to fight against AIDS and social evils like dowry and consumption of liquor.

Ms. Gandhi also called for implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in every sphere of life and to start a special literacy drive, the IYC chief said.

Mr. Surjewala alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance Government had failed totally in every sphere, and the need of the hour was to bring back the Congress(I) back to power. ``The IYC would work in making this a reality soon,'' he added.

Mr. Surjewala said the meeting resolved that the IYC cadre would work to eradicate poverty and illiteracy. Alleging that the Centre, under the pressure of rightist forces, was trying to distort educational curriculum at all levels, Mr. Surjewala this would not be tolerated. He also demanded that the Government ensure education and employment for youth.

Mr. Surjewala said the IYC would organise a conference to mark the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi on November 19. The All India Congress Committee general secretary, Mr. Oscar Fernandes, and the AICC secretary and IYC in-charge, Mr. Anil Shastri, also addressed the meeting.

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