The Youth Congress on 19 August launched a Panchayat Task Force in Jaipur ahead of the upcoming local body and Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan, with the party setting an ambitious target of fielding 50 per cent youth candidates across these contests. The initiative was unveiled in the presence of Youth Congress National General Secretary Shesh Narayan Ojha, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Chief Govind Singh Dotasra, and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully.

What the Task Force Will Do

According to Ojha, the task force is designed to identify young people below the age of 39 who are not currently affiliated with the Congress but who believe in the Constitution. These individuals will be provided structured training and organisational support to prepare them for electoral contests at the grassroots level.

National coordinators of the Youth Congress will fan out across blocks and panchayat-level areas in Rajasthan's districts as part of the outreach drive. Ojha said the initiative specifically targets young aspirants who have been unable to bring their concerns to the party's attention through existing channels.

The 50 Per Cent Youth Pledge

PCC Chief Dotasra said that involving young people in politics has been a stated priority of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and that the party is working towards ensuring half of its candidates in local body and Panchayati Raj elections are youth. However, Dotasra was careful to clarify that identification by the task force would not automatically guarantee a party ticket — names forwarded by the task force to the PCC would still go through the party's established selection process.

Congress Takes Aim at BJP

Dotasra also used the occasion to take a swipe at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming there was an internal rift within the party. 'Who cares about a fading shadow?' he said, also alleging that the BJP had failed in Delhi and making a reference to the selection of a 'dummy candidate.'

Opposition Raises Assembly and School Access Issues

Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully announced that the Congress would raise in the Assembly the issue of restrictions on media entry into government schools, demanding the government withdraw the order. 'This is not a lawless regime; we will visit the schools. It is not a government running here, but a circus,' Jully said.

Jully also alleged that people were being threatened with action under the POCSO Act for highlighting shortcomings in schools. He called for the upcoming Assembly session to run for a minimum of 15 days and a maximum of 25 days, arguing that both the government and the Opposition needed adequate time to debate public issues and see decisions implemented. He further alleged that certain Assembly questions — for which ministers had already given assurances — had subsequently been removed from the Assembly website.

With Rajasthan's local body polls on the horizon, the Panchayat Task Force marks Congress's first structured ground-level mobilisation effort in the state, and will be closely watched as a test of the party's grassroots reach.