The Hindu : A baton-wielding cadre of `blue boys'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 29, 2003

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A baton-wielding cadre of `blue boys'

By Manas Dasgupta

AHMEDABAD Nov. 28. A baton-wielding cadre of "blue boys'' to match the "trishuls'' (tridents) of the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad is due to be launched by the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president, Shankarsinh Waghela, tomorrow.

Despite some differences within the State party over the creation of the new cadre, which some old-timers and "original'' Congress activists apprehend would inculcate a sense of militancy alien to Congress culture, Mr. Waghela has decided to go ahead with the launching of the "Shakti Dal.''

Mr. Waghela said he had secured clearance "from whatever quarter necessary'' from the high command for the creation of the Shakti Dal, which due to its blue uniform of trousers, shirts, blue shocks and blue caps is fondly called by him as "blue boys,'' but some other senior leaders claimed that the high command had expressed reservation over the launching of a new cadre when frontal organisations such as the Seva Dal, the Mahila Dal and such other groups carry out Congress programmes.

The former BJP leader and cardholder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Mr. Waghela apparently wanted a force to function directly under his command. He intends to launch the Shakti Dal with just about 500 volunteers tomorrow but has planned to increase it to a cadre of at least 50,000 people by January 29 when the Dal will come out on the streets of Ahmedabad in its first show of strength, and eventually it would be increased to a force of about two lakh volunteers.

Shakti Dal volunteers need not necessarily be Congress members but could be connected with any of the frontal organisations of the party. One of the main conditions to become a member of the Shakti Dal would be that he or she would not seek any office in the party organisation and would never seek party ticket to contest the elections.

Apparently to match the RSS' growing image of being a service organisation that rush to the aid of the people in times of calamity, Mr. Waghela has planned to provide ambulances to each of the district units of the Shakti Dal to remain ever prepared to rush to help people involved in highway accidents, to enlist themselves as blood donors and to give voluntary services in cases of natural calamities.

The Dal would be in front to organise "dharnas,'' stage demonstrations and carry out other Congress agitational programmes where the existing party cadre was found lacking.

A section of the party activists, however, were critical of Mr. Waghela for the creation of a "personal force'' within the party "loyal'' to him when the Seva Dal existed precisely to carry out similar activities at times of need.

But sources close to Mr. Waghela pointed out that the PCC president was encountering resistance from various groups in implementing party's agitational programmes which necessitated the formation of the new cadre.

The sources disagreed that the Shakti Dal would be personally loyal to Mr. Waghela but said it would function directly under the command of the PCC president. The existing frontal organisations were all affiliated with the AICC and needed clearance from their respective high command to join any agitational programmes. But the Shakti Dal would be independent of the high command to carry out instructions of the PCC president.

"The Congress activists and party cadre turn their back when it comes to facing the trishul-wielding militants of the Bajrang Dal and the VHP. But the Shakti Dal cadre will be trained to face all such situations and will be prepared to die, if necessary, but not turn their back,'' the sources said. This is where the "original'' Congressmen have developed reservations over the new cadre, the element of militancy comparable to the Bajrang Dal and the VHP. Its success, however, may depend on Mr. Waghela's ability to convince the warring factions within the party to cooperate in its formation.

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