Over 200 Youth Congress leaders and office bearers suspended for "defying" crown prince Rahul Gandhi and skipping Nov 1 Ramlila ground rally

The Indian Youth Congress has suspended at least 215 office-bearers across seven states and its Uttar Pradesh Central unit for missing the November 1 rally convened by Rahul Gandhi. 

The state-wise figures were 60 from Madhya Pradesh, 

49 from Gujarat,

 32 from Jharkhand, 

26 from West Bengal, 

14 from Telangana, 13 from Himachal Pradesh, 

11 from Uttar Pradesh Central and 10 from Haryana.

The Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress' X handle also confirmed its action on social media. 

The order said the disciplinary action followed instructions from the national leadership and would remain effective until further notice.

The disciplinary action in Madhya Pradesh affected nine district presidents, five vice-presidents, 14 general secretaries and 32 secretaries.  

The INDI-alliance bloc held its "Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao" rally on November 1, targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities.

The gathering, addressed by Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other Opposition leaders, was projected as a major show of strength. 

"One thing is clear, there was no proper connect between the rally and the common people. Otherwise Youth Congress office-bearers could not give it a miss," says a BJP leader also adding that "this further shows there was "orders and instructions" to attend the rally.

"Nothing was spontaneous and organic," he added.

Reports said ---  On November 2 and 3, state units began issuing suspension orders, citing organisational indiscipline.

Seizing the opportunity, several BJP leaders including spokesperson C R Kesavan, mocked Rahul Gandhi and claimed that his own Youth Congress colleagues had snubbed him.  

The Youth Congress publicly announced the disciplinary action against its own workers through its official social media handles. The disciplinary action, reportedly involving 215 office-bearers across eight state units, has raised questions over how the Congress is treating its own workers. 

One of those suspended is Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress general secretary Rohit Rajoria, who told Aaj Tak's Ravish Pal Singh that he could not attend because of his uncle's terahvin, the 13th-day ritual following a death. Rajoria alleged that he had informed the organisation beforehand but was suspended without a show-cause notice.
Other suspended office-bearers cited weddings, illnesses and family celebrations as reasons for missing the rally.