In the so-called 'democratic' elections within the Congress, family ties and money power rule. The election held for various posts of the Maharahstra Youth Congress on Tuesday was no exception.
Vishwajit Kadam, son of Congress leader and state minister Patangrao Kadam, was elected the president of the state youth Congress. Satyajit Tambe, nephew of state Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, was elected the vice-president.
This is the first time that polls were held for all office bearers of the Youth Congress, from the ward level to the post of the district president, on the instruction of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi.
Earlier, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president would have the authority to appoint the top office bearers, who would in turn make all subordinate appointments.
"However, the introduction election system has resulted in marginalisation of the Congress worker who cannot boast of any family connections or money. No ordinary worker has got elected to the Youth Congress even at the ward level. All those who have been elected have connections and influence," said a Congress leader who rose through the ranks without any familial ties or money power.
"Only those who have influence can attract the members to vote for them. The election to the legislative council would be an apt analogy for Youth Congress elections," he said.
Earlier, the Congress leadership would reward hardworking party workers with posts in Youth Congress or other posts at the grass-root level.
"Now the message is loud and clear for ordinary Congress party workers. Be a party worker but do not dream of occupying any posts as it would coveted by the rich and influential in the party," said a Congress leader.
