TIRUCHY: Stressing the importance of infusion of young blood into the party, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday exhorted the cadre to reach out to the youth ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Addressing the party workers during a meeting with South District Congress Committee representatives, the former finance minister said that he realised dearth of fresh legs in the party after a visit to Sivaganga (his native district). “I constituted 627 booth committees and hoisted the party flag at 137 places in Sivaganga to redress the issue.”
Recounting his experience, the Congress leader said, “Wherever I went, I saw a large gathering of aged and middle-aged members, but I was hardpressed to find youngsters attending the meets. Why was this so?” Chidambaram asked the representatives.
Meanwhile, exhorting the party cadre to make AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the city on July 23 a show of strength, TNCC president EVKS Elangovan on Saturday harped on the Congress’ glorious past to encourage them. Addressing the party workers during a district-level meeting here, Elangovan said the party had come a long way after overcoming many hurdles and there was little the opposition could do to sap its strength. Urging the cadre to work disinterestedly for the party’s progress, the TNCC chief said, “No one should expect plush postings or ministerial berths in return of the service.”