November 18, 2013
Trinamool YUVA`s Interactive Session to prepare workers for Lok Sabha polls
An Interactive Session was organized by the All India Trinamool YUVA at Maharashtra Nivas, Kolkata on Sunday, from 11 am onwards, on November 17, 2013. Senior Trinamool leaders – the leader of the Parliamentary Party in Lok Sabha Mr. Sudip Bandopadhyay, party State President Mr. Subrata Bakshi, party Secretary General Mr. Partha Chatterjee, the Chief Whip at Rajya Sabha Mr. Derek O`Brien, Chief Whip of the party in the West Bengal Assembly, Mr. Shovandeb Chattopadhyay WB Sports and Transport Minister Mr. Madan Mitra, Chairman of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mr. Satchidananda Banerjjee – were present at the session along with the National President of the Trinamool YUVA, Mr. Abhishek Banerjee. Present at the session were Trinamool YUVA workers and office bearers from different districts of the state.
The interactive session began with senior party leaders sharing their experience with the YUVA workers. Focus of the day was clearly on discipline and mass outreach. The session ended with the leaders taking questions from YUVA activists from the districts.
An excerpt of Abhishek Banerjee`s speech on the occasion:
Sunday may be the weekly off, but for those who have dedicated themselves to politics, it is the busiest day of the week. I thank you all for making it to the conference on a Sunday.
The Lok Sabha elections are barely 4-5 months away. This is the time to pump up our energies and hit the streets to reach out to people. Anybody who needs any guidance from the senior party leaders, please approach us; we assure all help. We will have meetings such as these regularly, may be once every month. It is very essential for all workers to be aware of the party`s programmes. In this party, we do not discriminate between a leader and a worker. Your hard work will never go unnoticed or unrewarded.
Mamata Banerjee is working against all odds at an inhuman pace. There are conspiracies brewing all around to stall her developmental projects. Onions, potatoes, and now salt – the government firmly stood with the people and took the steam out of these conspiracies. Has anybody seen such leadership all over the country? A lot of good work is happening and it is our duty to spread the message to the people.
Our work should be centered on social welfare and discipline, following the footsteps of stalwarts like Swami Vivekananda.
YUVA has been organizing Blood Donation Camps and has been helping the destitute with clothes. While the efforts are commendable, we must also expand our arena of work. For example, we can spread awareness about blood sampling before marriage or make people aware of consumer rights.
The main focus of YUVA workers should be acting as the bridge between the government and the people. This Government belongs to the common people, the farmers, the daily wage labourers. We should inform them all what the government is doing for them. We are here to strengthen the hands of our leadership.
Discipline is also of prime importance in YUVA. Any activity that undermines the party will not be tolerated.
Here`s what other leaders said:
Sudip Bandopadhyay: I have a very close relationship with YUVA. My association with Abhishek goes back a long time; I have known him since he was a child. He always had a keen interest in politics. YUVA has a distinct identity and is involved in many positive activities. Public participation is essential for the growth of any political outfit; they should take up more social causes to build bridges with people. YUVA has a unit in place in all 18 districts and Kolkata; this is commendable. YUVA is different from the other youth wings of the party. It has a lot of people attached to it already. Let YUVA rise above factionalism. We hope YUVA will provide the party with leaders for the future. Sincerity, transparency, dedication and unwavering respect for the party will help YUVA workers go a long way.
YUVA activists should inform people about the developmental initiatives Mamata Banerjee has been taking for the State.
Abhishek is slowly and steadily building a political identity for himself. Despite being two years old, YUVA`s growth is worth admiring. We have to energise ourselves even more. I will always be beside you like a soldier of the party to provide any guidance.
Madan Mitra: Everybody has a designated responsibility in the party. Mamata Banerjee personally oversees these. YUVA should be responsible for reaching out to more people and spread the message of the CM. I feel proud to say that YUVA has contributed a lot in attracting youths to the party. YUVA is the most disciplined front of the party. You tell us seniors what we need to do for you and we will do just that.
Satchidananda Banerjee: Mamata Banerjee has set an example in humility. She has demonstrated that no matter how much power you yield, you can always stay close to the ground, in touch with the people at grassroots. Follow this example. I must say I am extremely impressed with the screening process YUVA has for inducting new members.
Shovandeb Chatterjee: Our workers should be aware of the policies and programmes of the party. They should know that we fight for ethics. The foundation of politics is on 3 Ps: Party, People, Partnership. Party workers should understand that good public relations are essential for political survival; the party is the bridge between people and government. Our activists should be more proactive in taking the message of the government to the people.
Subrata Bakshi: We dream of Bengal leading the country one day. If we do well in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, we will be a deciding factor to form the next government in New Delhi. For this, we all need to follow the footsteps of Mamata Banerjee; she has been working 15-16 hours a day since she became the Chief Minister. We have to emulate her. Mamata Banerjee`s ethics are the guiding force of YUVA. We are all her soldiers. Mamata Banerjee has reached the pulpit she is in after a long struggle. Her indomitable spirit is commendable. Do you know before the 2011 Assembly polls she attended 187 rallies in just 27 days? People should be told about her struggle.
Partha Chatterjee: YUVA should retain its independent identity, and follow the guidelines set by Abhishek Banerjee. Please tell people what we have done after coming to power. Activists should educate themselves about all the good work done by the government. We need to retain those who are with us and spread our base. Bring in the new faces; we will help in their skill development. YUVA should set an example in discipline; let others learn from you. You should set aside all internal differences and squabbles and work for only the party. We take it upon ourselves to train new joinees in the party; we shall conduct such sessions regularly.
The participants were given pamphlets showcasing the works done by the Maa, Mati, Manush Government in respective districts.
