Politics alone can bridge rural-urban divide, says Rahul

PUNE/AURANGABAD/AKOLA: Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday made a strong pitch for youth joining politics, saying the political system was the "single biggest determinant" of everyone's future.

Interacting with college students at Chinchwad near Pune, Gandhi said: "The reason why I am asking you to join politics is because it alone can bridge the gap between rural and urban India. It is undoubtedly the biggest instrument for connecting the two Indias." He said an entry into politics could be made through the student and youth wings of the Congress.

Rahul admitted that the present system made it rather difficult for youth to join politics. "There are only three ways out in the present system. The first is the last name (surname). I joined politics because my father was in politics. He had joined politics because his mother was in politics. There are many political leaders who are in politics because they have their relatives," he said.

The other two ways were the use of money power and participation in a big movement, Rahul said. "But, in the last many years, there has not been any major movement," he said.