Veteran Narain Dutt Tiwari had a dictum, “Suno Sabki karo apni” [ listen to every shade of opinion and do whatever you want]. Years later, Rahul Gandhi has started practising Tiwari’s maxim.
The selection of new Youth Congress chief to replace an overage B V Srinivas gave a glimpse of Rahul’s style of functioning. AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge, sensing Rahul’s deep interest in the functioning and revival of the Indian Youth Congress, had roped in Rahul to assess potential candidates. AICC general secretary in charge of the organization, K C Venugopal was to have a decisive say but eventually, Rahul had his say and his way.
Rahul picked Uday Bhanu Chib against favourite Vikrant Bhuria and Coco Padhi.
The choice of Chib is interesting because along with Mohammad Shahnawaz Chaudhary and few others, they had burnt the effigy of Ghulam Nabi Azad when the veteran party leader had acted as a mastermind of G 23. Azad, at that point of time, was all powerful Congress leader in J & K. He had even organised a public meeting at Jammu to show defiance to Gandhis. The meeting or a show of strength was attended by some other G 23 signatories such as Anand Sharma, Manish Tiwari.
Chib and Choudhury had decided to protest against Azad but they were dismayed to learn that many state party leaders backed off. After the effigy was burnt, Azad camp reportedly targeted Choudhury and Chib making their political life difficult. Choudhury was even invited to relevant PCC meetings despite being a PCC office-bearer. He was not given a District Development council ticket etc and had to contest as an independent.
Rahul watched these developments in stoic silence. However, as political equations changed, Rahul became instrumental in appointing Shahnawaz Chaudhary as AICC secretary of Odisha before Lok Sabha. He was given Ticket from Surankote Assembly in the ongoing J & K assembly polls. Rahul went to campaign for him at Surankote.
Next, Choudhary’s protege and former NSUI national president Neeraj Kundan became AICC Secretary attached to K C Venugopal. Choudhary’s old blue-eyed boy and comrade in arms, Uday Bhanu Chib became IYC president when in the party circles, he was a dark horse.
During the interview process for candidates under the age of 35 for the Youth Congress chief’s post, some party veterans had strategically placed 8-9 individuals who advocated for Coco Padhi to be appointed as president. In front of Rahul Gandhi, these individuals reportedly endorsed Coco. Rahul Gandhi remained silent throughout most of the discussion, but it was clear that he was displeased. Finally, he turned to K.C. Venugopal remarked, “Venu, either this Coco person is incredibly popular, or he’s a dictator. What do you think?”