Cong set to cut UPCC flab

As part of the proposed reorganisation,the Congress is set to cut to size the state unit of the party to make it effectively functional and the office-bearers accountable.

As part of the proposed reorganisation,the Congress is set to cut to size the state unit of the party to make it effectively functional and the office-bearers accountable. The 460-member body may be reduced to one-third its size,a party source said.

At present,the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) has 38 vice-presidents,96 general secretaries and 326 secretaries. No one can recall the last time all of them got together under one roof to take part in a discussion. In fact,many of them are rarely seen in the party office and were inactive during the elections.

The current UPCC was formed around one-and-a-half-years ago when Rita Bahuguna Joshi was appointed the state party president. Now,she feels cutting down the committee is “the need of the hour”.

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“I’m working on it. There is no point in having such a huge committee with over 450 members,many of them unwilling to work. Those who mean business and are sincere towards their work will be a part of the committee,” Joshi said.

Since downsizing is unlikely to go down well with many UPCC members,the exercise will be done in consultation with the central leadership. “We will certainly seek the approval of Soniaji before going ahead with the plan,” said Joshi.

Explaining how the UPCC got bloated,a party leader said: “When you are not in power,you have to find ways to keep your people together. As an incentive,they were given posts,which carried big names. Each new president has added numbers to it.”

UPCC to celebrate Rahul’s b’day as social harmony day
The UPCC has decided to celebrate AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s birthday on June 19 as “Social Harmony and Equality Day”. Youth Congress and National Student Union of India will celebrate it as “Yuva Chetna Divas”. Congressmen will have meals with Dalits and slum dwellers that day,said Subodh Srivastava,chief spokesperson of the state party unit. ens

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