Kerala Youth Congress man back in party, months after lambasting Rahul Gandhi's leadership

Nearly two months after C R Mahesh quit as the Vice President of Kerala Youth Congress after publicly lashing out at AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi's inefficiency in leading the party, Mahesh returned to the Congress party on Tuesday. 

He announced his comeback after meeting Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, following his meeting with senior Congress leader A K Antony.

Interestingly, Mahesh's return to the party-fold comes only a day after three Youth Congress workers were suspended from the party for publicly slaughtering a calf. 

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mahesh said that he hadn't criticised Rahul Gandhi and that there were misunderstandings over his statements in March that subsequently led to his exit. 

"I told Rahul Gandhi that I wanted to get back to party work and he told me that I should continue serving the people  through the party. I am very glad," Mahesh said. 

Mahesh had attained the reputation of a "revolt leader" after he took to Facebook in March this year, asking Rahul Gandhi to step down, "if he is unable to lead the party." Two days after this, Mahesh announced that he was quitting politics. 

“I don’t intend to continue stinking in a rotten party. The party members are solely responsible for the poll debacle faced by the Congress. I am leaving politics. For the time being, I do not intend to join other parties. I will seek a job for my living,” he had said.

For now, Mahesh will continue in the Congress party as an ordinary member. Decisions regarding whether to reinstate him as the Youth Congress representative will reportedly be taken by the KPCC. 

Later taking to Facebook, Mahesh wrote: 

"I wanted to meet Rahul Gandhi to clear the air about my controversial Facebook post. He consented to it and I met him today in his office in New Delhi. He asked me to work for the party." 

Showering praises on Rahul Gandhi's leadership, Mahesh said that the former was not a leader who challenged the party workers' freedom of speech and expression, but a leader who encourages and accepts diverse view points. 

"I am so glad. Though I am not given any posts in the party, I pledge my whole life in service of the party," Mahesh wrote, sharing a photograph with Rahul gandhi.