Row over entry passes in MP Youth Congress

A dispute over entry passes at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Chhatron Ki Goonj programme in Indore on September 19 has triggered a war of words within the Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress, with office-bearers questioning the arrangements and the organisation’s leadership.

Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress vice-president Sweety Patil, in a social media post and messages shared in a Youth Congress WhatsApp group, alleged that she had to struggle for hours to obtain an entry pass despite seeking information about the arrangements in advance. She also alleged that workers who had contributed to the organisation were denied passes while others were allowed inside the venue.

Patil also raised questions about the functioning of State Youth Congress president Yash Ghanghoria. She said she was unwell but had nevertheless sought clarity about the pass arrangements a day before the programme. According to her messages, she later learnt that a person carrying the passes was at the Radisson Hotel and had to go there to collect one before reaching the venue amid heavy crowds.

Ghanghoria, however, said he was unaware of the allegations. Responding to the controversy, he said he had no information about the matter and that whatever had been written by individuals was not in his knowledge.

The issue subsequently escalated in the Youth Congress WhatsApp group, where several members criticised the arrangements and sought accountability from the organisation’s leadership. Some members questioned why elected Youth Congress office-bearers and functionaries who had worked for the programme were not adequately accommodated.

Patil alleged that the incident was not isolated and claimed that she had faced what she described as inappropriate treatment on five occasions. She also questioned the roles and responsibilities of the state president and the in-charge, saying that those holding organisational responsibilities should also take responsibility for arrangements.

Another participant, Javed Patel from Ujjain, questioned the functioning of the organisation and said elected Youth Congress members should be heard. He also suggested that members could hold a press conference or raise the matter with the national leadership.

The WhatsApp exchange also saw disagreements among members, with some defending the state leadership while others accused them of favouritism. One participant, Irfan, called for members to collectively raise their concerns with the national president and national in-charge.

Patil later raised the issue on Facebook as well, alleging that workers who had put in extensive effort for the programme were not given passes, while VIP passes were allegedly distributed to people who, according to her, had made little contribution to the organisation.

The allegations made by Patil and other Youth Congress members have not been independently established, while Ghanghoria has denied having knowledge of the matter.