M A I N   N E W S

Rahul returns, tries to figure out what went wrong in Punjab polls
Dharmendra Joshi/TNS

Aadampur (Jalandhar), Oct 19
AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi today heard out Congress workers of Punjab, as they cited their reasons for party’s debacle in the recent Assembly elections. Rahul, who was on his second visit to Punjab in less than 10 days, gave a patient hearing to party leaders and workers drawn from 18 political districts during more than six-hour interaction.

key irritants Infighting Indiscipline Lack of transparency in ticket distribution Depleting Dalit base Inaccessibility of party leadership

Most cited infighting, indiscipline, lack of transparency in the distribution of ticket, complacency, losing of Dalit base and inaccessibility of party leadership as reasons for the defeat.

Voices of dissent against the state leadership were also heard during the meeting.

Sources said Congress leaders and workers of various districts met Rahul in batches from 10.30 am to 4.45 pm.

A delegation of Jalandhar Urban political district was the first to meet Rahul. While a batch of 33 delegates from Jalandhar Urban was reportedly selected for the interaction, only 22 turned up on time.

Former minister Avtar Henry pressed for holding of youth Congress elections right before the Assembly elections and expressed concern over the depleting party base within the Dalits in the Doaba region.