NEW DELHI: Jyotiraditya Scindia’s exit from Congress amid claims that Rahul Gandhi failed to protect his friend’s political interest has trained the focus back on the absentee leadership of the party after the 2019 Lok Sabha debacle. But, as significantly if not more, it has shone the spotlight on the group of youngsters that during the UPA decade came to be known as Rahul’s Young Turks. Following Congress’s sixth year out of power amid continuous diminution in its ability to dispense favours, the once-considered homogeneous bloc is splintered into myriad groups.As an insider smirked, “There are youngsters who are in favour, those who are feeling left out and those who are getting benefits despite Rahul Gandhi.” The latest round of Rajya Sabha nominations for limited seats at Congress disposal has only buttressed the theory.AICC general secretary in-charge of organisation, K C Venugopal, a former MP from Kerala , has got RS from Rajasthan. Rajeev Satav , former Youth Congress president and one-term MP who is now AICC in-charge of Gujarat, has managed the much sought-after seat from Maharashtra. Deepender Hooda is set to return to Parliament from Haryana.They are fortunate. By inside accounts, 2020 will go in history as that rare year when an unprecedented number of young leaders pitched their claims for the House of Elders — a reflection of belief in Congress that it is going to be a long winter after two successive Lok Sabha debacles. In sharp contrast, many expectant ones have been left out.Milind Deora is considered close to Rahul and was said to have been committed a seat. Randeep Surjewala group believes he could not win his assembly seat in 2019 Haryana polls because he, as spokesman, led the attacks on Modi government and was targeted by BJP. Jitin Prasada was another hopeful. Sachin Pilot is Rajasthan Congress chief and deputy CM in state government but his supporters believe he was shortchanged after the party won in December 2018 polls. Away from those in and out of favour are leaders like Hooda who are having their way despite Rahul Gandhi. Bhupinder Singh Hooda managed to oust Rahul’s nominee Ashok Tanwar as Haryana chief before state polls and has now ensured his son Deepender enters RS after losing LS polls.