At CWC, Rahul seeks easier rules for joining party

At a time the Congress is working on a makeover, it's young leader Rahul Gandhi today tried to give the effort a push.

Gandhi, at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), suggested that some criterion for membership be made "optional." However, no decision was taken.

"Some members wanted to remain traditional, but there were people who wanted to take a more practical approach towards building the organisation," said CWC member Oscar Fernandes.

At present, anyone who wants to be a party member has to affirm 10 things, including that he or she is a "habitual wearer of certified khadi" and 'subscribes to the periodicals approved by the AICC".

An aspirant also has to declare that he "abstains from alcoholic drinks and intoxicant drugs." Many feel that Rahul Gandhi was hinting at these three areas. This was his first CWC meeting after being appointed AICC general secretary.

Meanwhile, the CWC decided to reduce the voting age to 18 from 21. It also adopted a resolution for doing away with the two-tier membership "" primary and active. It was also decided that the extended CWC would take care of party resolutions for plenary sessions instead of sending them to the subject committees.

Four resolutions, including on political, economic and international issues, will be adopted by the CWC on November 16 and taken up by the AICC on November 17.