Cong’s call for ‘gaon chalo’

PATNA: The central leadership of the Congress is learnt to have voiced concern over non-functioning of the party's frontal organisations, its district units and also other bodies. The non-participation of the chiefs of various units in action programmes and their lethargy in taking up such programmees have also been taken note of.Reportedly, a serious move is afoot at national level to reconstitute some of the frontal organisations at the state level and also some district units.The central leadership has also issued firm warning to some disgruntled partymen and advised them to maintain unity and cooperation to strengthen the party's base in the state.According to state Congress sources, newly-appointed AICC incharge of Bihar affairs Oscar Fernandes is learnt to have submitted a detailed report to AICC president Sonia Gandhi, pointing out the ways to revitalise and strengthen the party in the state.While defining the agenda for holding meetings at mufassil level and in rural areas, the report has specially suggested reconstitution of the state Youth Congress, which has become practically defunct as its president Tanveer Akhtar has crossed the age limit and remains absent for long from the Bihar scene, camping in Delhi.The Youth Congress has failed to exploit youth power, the sources said, adding that reconstitution of other frontal organisations, including Mahila Congress led by former Union minister Usha Singh, are also on the cards as the activities of women workers of the party have considerably declined in recent past.Reportedly, Fernandes has held discussions with senior state leaders to maintain caste balance for party posts, the Sadaquat Asharam sources said, adding that while the BPCC is led by a Muslim (Shakeel Ahmed), the Youth Congress is expected to be headed by a backward casteman, specially a Yadava caste youth, replacing Akhtar. Sources close to Fernandes said that a Youth Congress leader from Khagaria and also an office-bearer of the state unit is being mentioned for the Youth Congress presidentship. For this, senior leaders of the party had recently approached Fernandes. Akhtar is being tipped for an organisational post in Delhi.Fernaneds is keen on revitalisingYouth Congress, Mahila Congress, NSUI and Seva Dal, the sources said, adding that some of the district Congress committees, particularly of Muzaffarpur led by a woman, are to be revamped. Reportedly, BPCC chief Shakeel Ahmed agrees with the report of Fernandes. He held discussions with leaders in Delhi recently, and has informed the leadership that all partymen, particularly post holders, should be firmly told to move to rural areas.