Quota in place,Rahul’s youth brigade to have women,Dalits at forefront

reserved at the level of unit presidents and also in organisational committees. The reserved posts will be selected by a draw.

As many as 25 per cent posts of unit presidents will be reserved — half for SC/ST and half for women. As a result,three SC/ST members and three women will become presidents in the central zone.

“At all levels,whether panchayat,state,Assembly and Lok Sabha constituency,we will have reservation in the committees. Out of the 10 committee members at all levels,one post of general secretary will be reserved for SC/ST,one for women and one for OBC or minorities,” said Prakash Joshi,member of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) Election Commission who has been given the charge of UP.

Former state Youth Congress president Yogesh Dixit pointed out that in the old structure,when district presidents were appointed by nomination,there was no reservation.

To give a boost to the membership drive,Rahul Gandhi will visit all the 26 districts of the central zone later this month. “His three-day visit will only focus on the membership drive of youth Congress in the central zone,” said Jitendra Singh,AICC secretary in-charge of the IYC.

Besides Singh,Youth Congress president Ashok Tanwar and IYC general secretary Virendra Rathore were in town on Wednesday to discuss arrangements for the drive. To tackle fake membership,Singh said that apart from forms,even the voters’ list will carry photographs.

Asked about the role of those selected through the talent hunt,Singh said those who wanted to contest election can do so. The others will be given an opportunity to work in different cells and departments after the elections. About 1,500 people will be involved in conducting the elections,he added.

K J Rao,general secretary of the Foundation for Advanced Management of Elections — which has been appointed to conduct NSUI and Youth Congress elections — said no one convicted in a criminal case will be given a chance to contest.

“We will also not allow those against whom a court has taken cognizance of a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment of more than five years,or where a chargesheet has been filed against a person for any such offence,” he added.