Rahul asks youth leaders to win people's trust like Mahatma

New Delhi, Nov 29: Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday exhorted Youth Congress leaders to create "mutinies within" like him to guide the destiny of the nation and not lose the trust of the people.

"Learn to lead. Test your ideas, Challenge your thoughts. Create mutinies within yourself and others around you, develop a relationship with your people. Learn to listen to people," he said addressing "Buniyad", a national convention of elected Youth Congress office bearers from across the country.

The Congress general secretary said the system of elections and democratisation has been taken up by the Youth Congress so that its doors are open to the youth of the nation.

"This system of periodic elections will ensure that the youth of India will have the opportunity to elect their own leaders every two years. The elections have empowered a new generation of Youth Congress leaders," he told the delegates.

Dedicating most of his speech to Mahatma Gandhi and the ideals he stood for, Rahul asked the youth Congress workers to listen to and respect their opponents, because "they guide you".

"Most importantly, learn to recognise and fight for the truth. Finally, understand that leadership in our tradition is not about taking but about giving. It is not about leading people but leading yourselves," he said, as he called upon them to take the reins of the Youth Congress to "guide the destiny of the nation".

Rahul Gandhi also asked the youth leaders to earn the trust of the people, which he said is the only thing that a politician will ever have in his career. "Try not to lose this trust. Today, many political leaders lead by telling people what they want to hear. People who tell others what they want to hear are not called leaders. They are called followers," he said.

PTI