Congress had only taken steps to infuse new talent into its pool: Rahul Gandhi

 Congress had only taken steps to infuse new talent into its pool: Rahul Gandhi New Delhi, Oct 5 : Highlighting the difficulties faced by young and enterprising individuals keen on entering the Indian political system, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi has stressed that Congress was the only political party that had taken steps to infuse new talent into its pool.

"The greatest difficulty is that the common youth are still outside the realm of politics. It seems that the doors of politics are locked for the youth. We, the Congress, are the only one political organisation that gives opportunity for the youth to enter politics through democratic means and elections Gandhi said here on Tuesday.

He also said that the sweeping reforms in the prevailing political structure of India could only be triggered by the country''s youth.

"Many legislators have come out of the present system of the Youth Congress. So, this is a huge opportunity for the youth. Our party is opening doors for you, and youth are coming into the party. I feel that the country can be changed only by the youth," said Gandhi.

Reaching out to the youth through gigantic rallies in both rural and urban India, Gandhi has appealed to students, young professionals and activists to participate in national politics on numerous occasions.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said Rahul Gandhi would be the future leader of the Congress party.

"Congress is always having a new leadership. Rahul Gandhi is going to be a new leader," said Mukherjee.

Widely considered a national youth icon, Gandhi''s prime focus has been the Congress'' youth wing, which though seen as crucial for the long-term survival of a party that relies on a rural vote bank, is run by members now at retirement age. (ANI)