Congress ropes in youth wing for year-long anti-Modi protests

The Congress has roped in its youth wing to launch nation-wide protests against the Narendra Modi government on a range of issues — from price rise to women's safety — as it tries to wean away young voters who backed the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Youth Congress activists are set to kick-start the protests on Wednesday by taking out a march towards Parliament against the “four-year misrule” of the Modi government.

The year-long agitation under the banner 'Bharat Bachao Jana Andolan' also marks the inauguration of the new team at the Indian Youth Congress with Keshav Chand Yadav as its president and Srinivas B V as his deputy.

“We have been given a programme 'Bharat Bachao Jana Andolan' which will continue till the Lok Sabha elections next year,” Yadav told DH here.

Srinivas, the IYC vice-president, said the organisation planned to carry out similar protests in state capitals, district headquarters and also reach out to every assembly seat across the country highlighting the issues facing the common man.

Congress leaders believe that the youth had backed Modi in 2014 hoping that he would address their issues, especially unemployment.

Srinivas said Modi had failed to deliver on his promise of generating two crore jobs every year and ensuring the safety of women.

Congress leaders said that this disillusionment among generation next could be used to turn the tables against the Modi government in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The unease among the youth was seen in the Gujarat Assembly elections last year.

The BJP too is focusing on the youth by promoting entrepreneurship and helping them start small businesses by extending loans.