In a major development aimed at political empowerment of youth and enhancing and strengthening their participation in the decision making process, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amarinder Singh on Saturday announced that 35 of the 117 party tickets in the 2017 Assembly elections would be allotted to the youth.
He said that this had been suggested by the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. He also clarified that youth representation would be based on their hard work and contribution towards the party and not on any kinship or relationship.
“I am aware of your expectations and aspirations and I want you not only to realise your own dreams, but also be a part of the entire decision-making process at the political and economic level,” he told a 1,000-strong young audience.
“I don’t need or seek 25 years; just give me five years to launch Punjab back on the path to prosperity and glory and bring back the smile on every Punjabi’s face,” he said, referring to an earlier speech by Sukhbir Badal, in which he had said that Shiromani Akali Dal will rule Punjab for 25 years.
“God forbid, if that happens, imagine what will happen to Punjab as they have already devastated it beyond redemption in nine years,” he warned.
Spelling out his vision for the political, economic and financial empowerment of youth, he said, besides allotting 35 party tickets to them, the Congress government would ensure “one job to each family”.
He said that this would include jobs in both government and private sectors, besides developing and providing entrepreneurship skills and opportunities to them.
Capt. Singh pointed out that the Badals had monopolised every trade and business, the wealth thus being concentrated within a single family and its close relatives and aides.
He said that he would break this monopoly and ensure proper distribution of wealth. They would distburse route permits among the youth and provide soft loans for buying and operating buses.
