Raritan, New Jersey:

Indian Overseas Congress, which was united recently under the leadership of Sam Pitroda (chair) George Abraham (vice chair) Mohinder Singh Gilzian (president) has appointed leaders for three state chapters.

Noted community leader Leela Maret has been appointed as the Kerala Chapter President. Pavan Darisi will be the president of the Andhra chapter, while Rajeshwar Reddy Gangasani will be the president of the Telangana Chapter. Pradeep Samala has been appointed as vice president to coordinate the work of the Andhra, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu chapters.

‘The position will require seeking a fresh mandate directly from the membership at large at the end of the first phase of the ongoing membership drive, and an election date will be set by the Executive Committee in the not so distant future,’ the appointment letter presented by Gilzian noted.

He also noted the valuable contribution of the new leaders in the past and wished them well in their efforts ‘to build the organization nationwide with a larger membership roll and promoting the activities that would be consistent with values and principles of the Congress Party.’

The event organized at the Paradise Biryani place in Raritan, NJ, April 6, was attended by several party workers. The event turned into a campaign meeting supporting the Congress Party in the election.

Gilzian noted that India is at the crossroads of history and it is the time for all those who love India to support the Congress and its principles with ‘than, man, dhan’ (body, mind and wealth.) The future of democracy is at stake. It is our duty as Congressmen to support and strengthen the party and the hands of the youthful leader Rahul Gandhi, he said.

If we do not work diligently now, we cannot predict what will happen to the country under a new BJP government, IOC Vice Chair George Abraham pointed out. Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and vision are the silver linings in the otherwise dark atmosphere. We have to work hard to bring Congress back to power, he said.

In the last five years, the country has witnessed many unfortunate things, Rajendar Dichapally, General Secretary of IOC noted. Things came to such a pass that even the Supreme Court judges came out speaking against interference in the judiciary, which is a main pillar of the democratic system. Many constitutional institutions were undermined and their importance was cut down.

We have seen the ferocious attack on our chair and a great patriot Sam Pitroda, who asked a few questions about the Balakot attack. They cannot even reply in a civilized manner. Corruption is rampant in the government. The prime minister never answers to the public which is not the way of democracy. There is an unequal distribution of wealth, and a few people control most of it. The Congress Party has come out with a new program for equitable distribution of wealth benefiting the poor. If BJP comes back, we do not know whether this would be the last election in the country. This is the time to support the young visionary, Rahul Gandhi, who works tirelessly for the country, he said.

The new chapter leaders thanked the IOC leadership for selecting them and also putting their faith on them. They promised to work for strengthening the party nationwide and uphold the principles of the party.

Pradeep Samala welcomed the gathering. Harbachan Singh, Secretary-General, Malini Shah, Vice President, chapter presidents Charan Singh (Haryana), Gurmit Gill (Punjab), Amir Rashid (Bihar), Devendra Vora (Maharashtra), and Jayesh Patel (Gujarat) spoke.

Rajesh Hariyala, whose father Ramudu Hariyala is contesting election from Andhra’s Parvathipuram constituency, Jose George, Treasurer of Kerala Chapter, Saji Karimpannoor, president of the Florida chapter, Ramesh Chandra (co-Chair- membership drive).

Sravanth Poreddy, KC Reddy, Ravi Peddi, Shiva Reddy, Ramesh Maganti, Vijaya Nadella, Anjan Karnati, Anna Reddy, Khursheed, Srinivas , Dhruva Chowdary too spoke.

Indian Overseas Congress appoints three chapter presidents