Rahul Gandhi exhorts Mumbai youth to stay focused

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi

MUMBAI: Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi has called upon the youth of Mumbai to focus on the inclusive development of India and stay away from divisive politics.

"If you want to make a change, join politics and the Congress party. Some people are trying to divert your attention from real issues, but you have to stay focused," he said addressing 1,100 college students at Bhaidas Hall in suburban Ville Parle here.

"Congress stands for a united India. There are two kinds of leaders in the country, one who divide and rule and the other who collaborate and take everyone along towards the objective of a united India and move forward."

There are some people here who are trying to divide you on communal and linguistic basis and Congress is against them, the Congress General Secretary said.

Earlier, Rahul arrived here amid tight security following Sena's threat to greet him with black flags. Despite the Sena's threat after Rahul's "Mumbai-for-all" comments, Police Commissioner D Shivanandan, said that the city was peaceful and there were no disruptions.

The officer said many people were detained as a precautionary measure. However, he declined to divulge any further details on the issue.

Yash Panchal from N N College, who attended the meeting, said that the hour-long deliberations with the Congress leader was a good experience.
According to Yash, Rahul said his father was born in Mumbai and mother in Italy. "My great-grandfather was born in Allahabad, who also had his origins in Jammu and Kashmir. I live in Delhi," Rahul said.

"Where should I say I belong to? I know one thing that I am Indian and I belong to India," he added.

Rahul also interacted with the students on the process of enrolment in the Youth Congress. When a student asked him why was he in politics, the Gandhi scion said he was "irritated" with the present political system and wanted to change it.

Dhawal Kantawal, a second year MBA student, said Rahul began his interaction saying that he had come there to have fun with them.

Then he asked us how many students were from families having political background, Dhawal said. Six-seven students raised their hands, then he asked how many students knew the process to get into politics, to which one replied that it was through family connection.

Then Rahul said he was here to deal with those who did not have any political family background and get these people into politics.