Aspiring Congress spokespersons appeared in 'exam' on 'Modi government's failures'
What's the story
Aspiring spokespersons of the UP Congress Committee (UPCC) had a surprise yesterday: they were made to sit for a 30-minute 'exam' and an interview for the post.
Incidentally, many of the questions pertained to failures of the Narendra Modi government at the Center and the Yogi Adityanath government in the state.
They were also asked how many seats Congress has won in different elections.
'Exam'
14 questions in 30-minute 'exam'
Candidates had to answer 14 questions in 30 minutes in 'exams' held at the UPCC headquarters in Lucknow.
Questions included: 'Write failures of Yogi Adityanath government,' 'List failures of Modi government,' and 'List achievements of Manmohan Singh government.'
They were also asked how many seats Congress won in 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections, and percentage of its votes in 2014 and 2017 elections.
Interview
The 'exam' was followed by an 'interview'
Candidates were also asked to write three news stories of the day that needed the party's reactions, and responsibilities of a spokesperson.
"Examinees were allowed to use the internet," a functionary said.
Later, they had to appear an interview with national party spokespersons Priyanka Chaturvedi and Rohan Gupta along with UPCC President Raj Babbar.
About 70 leaders, including just five women, appeared the test.
Quote
But why this unique move?
"Congress president Rahul Gandhi wants that only leaders well-versed about the party's policies, who know the state well and can boldly speak should be allowed to function as spokesperson. A beginning has been already made in other states, and more will follow," said a leader.
Reactions
Some were optimistic, but others were stupefied
Many seemed optimistic about this new and unique system, which came about after Babbar dissolved the media department last week to revamp the unit.
However, others questioned the move, saying the party's previous experiments - like selection of candidates through voting and introduction of elections in the Indian Youth Congress - haven't made much difference in the state.