Thaindian News

Kolkata, July 25 (IANS) To spread Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s ideals among the youth, the party’s newly-formed youth wing - led by her nephew Abhishek - has decided to conduct a membership drive across the country, while roping in personalities like filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar and tennis star Leander Paes as advisors.

Besides the two, the All India Trinamool Yuva’s central advisory group includes Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi, West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chattopadhyay and Finance Minister Amit Mitra, and technocrat Sam Pitroda.

Twentyfive-year-old Abhishek, son of Mamata’s brother Amit and holder of an MBA degree, is the national president of the youth wing launched at a party rally July 21.

Releasing the organisation’s constitution, Abhishek said anybody in the 21-40-year group, who is an Indian citizen, law-abiding and does not hold membership of any other political party, can become a member of the AITY.

“Our main aim is to spread the ideals of Mamata Banerjee. We had been receiving requests from across the country and even abroad to form such an organsiation. The decision to form the AITY is a response to such requests,” said Abhishekh, who headed the Trinamool’s cyber cell and also started an online campaign for the party before the April-May assembly elections.

“Those willing to be our member have to deposit Rs.12 as membership fee. They are entitled to a receipt and shall also be given a membership card. We are the first such organisation in the country to issue a membership card,” he said.

Abhishek said workshops on membership drives in the state’s districts will be conducted soon. “Then we will go to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi - every Indian state to hold membership drives”.

Rupam Islam has penned and sung the anthem of the AITY.