subject: "The energy and dynamism of Bengal has been captured by a dead ideology…" Rahul Gandhi [print this page] Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi interacted with the media in Kolkata. To a question pertaining to CPM, Rahul Gandhi said that there has a saying "Bengal sochta hai Hindustan karta hai" but in the last 33 years it has been nullified by the ruling CPM. They have created two Bengals- one is for the Cadres of CPM and one is for the poor. Youth Congress
The idea that we have been developing across the country is very powerful. The idea is that if you have youth organization, the youth organization should be built by the youth. We had spectacular results in this process in a number of states. We are very confident that we give the youth of Bengal an instrument that will have their voice be heard. I think it is very important that youngsters coming to politcs. It is very encouraging would I have seeing in the last in all the states particularly in Bengal. On Trinmool We have a partnership in the state and we are going to hold hands with Mamata Banerjee jee. She is a senior leader and I respect her. She worked with my father. However, we are going to do whatever we do with dignity and respect. I don't think anybody needs to explain to Bengali people what respect is; they understand very well the definition of respect. On Kashmir
Kashmir is burning and Mehbooba Mufti yesterday in a statement mentioned that she wants Rahul Gandhi interventionshe wants Rahul Gandhi to find a solution to the Kashmir crisis. How do you look at it?
R: I have already said and say this everywhere I go.. Congress President said yesterday that we need to involve youngsters into politics. We need to bring the youth of Kashmir into the political system. I am currently involved in the jobs and everybody likes to offer me jobs everyday. I have been offered Commonwealth; I have been offered intervention here and there. I have given a responsibility and I carry out that responsibility. It is hard to explain but the Youth Congress and NSUI and the idea of bringing into youth into politics is a full time responsibility and as per doing the job most of the day. I have to finish the job that I am doing. And there are many able people in this country that can do many of the jobs. Commonwealth Games can very easily be run but other people are who are very capable. So my focus is on bringing youngsters into politics. And I think this is very important thing for the future of this country. I like to settle down and go in details and work on that problem. Frankly, Kashmir is not part time problem, but a full time problem. That's why if I have to get involved in that issue then I have to give up what I am doing right now. So, that's why I am trying to focus on what I do and the most important thing as I can see is bringing youngsters into the political system. We are developing a system of open membership for any youngsters to come in the political system. We are developing the system of progress within the organization that is based on what they do and who they have supporting them. I think that is the very very powerful idea. Q Will you take the membership drive to Jammu and Kashmir? Will you tell the youth of that state to shun the violence and join your brigade?
R: this drive has got to go in every parts of India and Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India and this drive is going to go to Jammu and Kashmir. And just like I came to Bengal I will go to Jammu and Kashmir when this drive goes to Jammu and Kashmir. What we are saying is that we are going to build an organization that belongs to the youngsters. Its very interesting. First when I started with this, everybody said On Tribals
There is an impression that you have sympathy for the tribals. What is opinion about he SEZ policy? Do you think that developmental strategy of India needs to be reviewed?
R: I have a soft corner for all Indians. I don't have more of a soft corner for one person or another person. However, there are some Indians who do not get the same type of benefits that other Indians get; tribals among them, dalits among them and poor in general. So it is not time favorable towards tribals I am favorable to anybody who have not been given their due from this system. On Land Acquisition issue We are now working on a new bill. Haryana has got a policy that I think is quite a very powerful policy where people share in the benefits of the development. So I think I am very pretty clear on the land acquisition issue. We can not allow a transfer of land from poor people to rich people without benefits going to the poor people. I am giving an example of what is happening in UP. People's land there have been taken away for 400 plus rupees a metre. That same land has a value of 1000 of rupees. So some rich business man is taking away their land and the people there are not getting the value of the land. And that is the argument I am making. To build a road or to build infrastructure, you need to acquire land. The poor will respond very well. There is no problem as far as Haryana is concerned. When you make a policy that is fair, poor people respond to it.
"The energy and dynamism of Bengal has been captured by a dead ideology" Rahul Gandhi
