Stepping up the demand for a leadership change in the top echelons of the Congress, the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) has demanded that Rahul Gandhi, currently vice president of the All-India Congress Committee, be elevated to the post of president through “democratic elections.”
Addressing reporters here on Sunday, INTUC president G. Sanjeeva Reddy said that Mr. Gandhi should be given a chance to prove his merit. Mr. Reddy, also a member of the working committee of the party, said that as vice president, Mr. Gandhi had no locus standi .
“He has to consult party president Sonia Gandhi on each and every issue. Let him take over as president and create hope for the young generation,” he said. Mr. Reddy said the structure of the Congress should be revamped to help the party come back to power at the Centre.
He alleged that the labour policies of the National Democratic Alliance government had proved to be disastrous for workers. “The number of permanent jobs is getting reduced. Contract jobs are being encouraged. The government is promoting profitability of the employers at the cost of the benefits of labourers,” Mr. Reddy said.
He pointed out that the Centre was trying to scrap schemes under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and was finding excuses to deny jobs and salary to workers under it. Mr. Reddy condemned the merger of the State Bank of India with associate banks and alleged that thousands of people had to opt for voluntary retirement and many branches had been closed down.
To fight the anti-worker policies of the government, the trade unions in the country had formed a Central trade union coordination committee. It would meet in New Delhi on May 30 to chalk out the future course of action.
“The meeting will discuss the demand for a countrywide bandh in which essential services such as Railways and ports will be included,” Mr. Reddy said.
