YC fumes over giving priority to newcomers

KOCHI: The Youth Congress state committee that met here on Tuesday witnessed heated arguments with regard to accommodating members who quit others parties, especially Sindhu Joy. The leaders who spoke at the state committee said that those who were trying to join the party were not having any knowledge about the Congress. The leadership were also not taking into account the sentiments of those who had worked for the party for a long time, they said.General secretary Mathew Kuzhalnadan, who was very critical of the party, said the party was not taking into account the sentiments of the Youth Congress members when accommodating leaders from other parties.He said those who came forward to join the party should first be taught about the party and its policies.Vinod Krishna, another general secretary, said the Congress would have negative impact if the party makes compromises for continuing in power.  It was unfortunate that the IUML’s demand for a fifth minister had become a topic of discussion, he said, and added that the party at the beginning itself should have told the IUML about its stand.General secretary V T Balaram spoke against chief whip P C George, whose statements had crossed all limits.Later, Youth Congress state president P C Vishnunath told reporters that the Youth Congress leaders should get priority in the party. The Youth Congress will intimate the party leadership against giving priority to ‘new-comers’, he said. Vishnunath said that it was unfortunate that certain unwarranted issues had cropped up after the Piravom elections.“The issue of fifth ministership is unfortunate. The people expect more from the UDF government. We hope that the government will rise to the expectations of the people,” he said.