Gujarat Youth Congress suspends 49 office-bearers for missing Delhi rally
The suspensions follow a protest in Delhi against vote theft and a demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The All India Youth Congress has suspended approximately 49 Gujarat Youth Congress office-bearers with immediate effect. According to Bhaskar English, the action was taken because these leaders were absent from a public meeting held in Delhi on November 1 under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.
The rally was organised to protest against vote theft and to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The suspensions include the state general secretary and Youth Congress presidents from 24 districts.
Party workers expressed resentment in internal WhatsApp groups, questioning why senior leaders were not targeted for their absence. Workers alleged that the party stripped them of their posts without hearing their reasons, despite them facing police cases during protests over the last five months.
Former Vadodara City Youth Congress president Pavan Gupta said he could not travel to Delhi because his father required eye surgery and his mother was ill. He stated he had sent hospital reports to the state president and noted that the party provided no arrangements for travel or meals.
Former Panchmahal district Youth Congress president Michael Joseph said he had informed the state president on October 28 regarding a social occasion. Gaurang Makwana, former general secretary of the Ahmedabad Bhaipura ward, said he could not travel after falling ill despite booking a train ticket.
Gujarat Pradesh Youth Congress president Pravin Singh Vanol clarified that the action followed a national order from the All India Youth Congress. He said the decision was taken during an online meeting held after the Delhi rally and applied to all officials who were officially called to Delhi but remained absent.