Amritsar (PTI): Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday pitched for active participation of youth in country's politics and said they should be given a fair chance to come to the mainstream.

The Nehru-Gandhi family scion here as part of the elections to the Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) said, "seventy per cent of population is youth and I have an aim for the youth that they should be given a chance to join politics."

As many as 16 candidates are in the fray for the post of PYC president, vice-president, secretary and general secretary.

The election process started at 4.00 pm would be complete late in the night as 2,430 voters would cast the ballot to elect youth leaders.

Terming the PYC elections as a democratic exercise, the Lok Sabha MP said there were many who were skeptical about free and fair conduct of elections.

"Election process of Youth Congress through ballot means democracy is directly in the hands of people. Similarly the future of youth Congress is also in the hands of youth. I will follow this process throughout the country."

Rahul pleased with the presence of people from all strata of life said, "Earlier in the nomination system, it was not possible for women, the poor and the Dalits to come forward and take part in the process."