THE Young Communist League is planning to exploit the current political turmoil crippling the ANC Youth League and to emerge as the leading voice of young people.

The YCL also welcomes the disciplinary actions against ANCYL leadership, including Julius Malema, saying the move was an indication that "no one is bigger than the ANC".

The Young Reds also view the ANCYL's yearning for the return of former president Thabo Mbeki as an attack on communists, who played a major role in his removal.

"We have to take advantage of the vacuum in youth leadership as we build unity of young people behind the strategic objective of the national democratic revolution," according to a discussion document tabled at the YCL lekgotla over the weekend.

Malema has complained about the country's lack of clarity on international policy since the departure of Mbeki.

The YCL mother body, the SACP, and the ANCYL formed a united front for Mbeki's defeat at the ANC 2007 conference in Polokwane and his ultimate recall as the country's president.

The young communists also accused the ANCYL of not being driven by any revolutionary fervour, but divisive tendencies seeking to undermine the ANC.

"The nostalgia about Mbeki is merely informed by opportunism and divisiveness rather than love for a former leader of the ANC," said the document.

"Some of the people who celebrate the so-called return of Mbeki had said the worst of things against him - to forget so soon."

The YLC has also vowed to defend SACP chairman Gwede Mantashe, who has been the target of the ANCYL in his capacity as secretary general of the ANC.

The youth league wants to replace Mantashe with its former president, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, in Mangaung in December.

"We understand that the ANC is yet to open the leadership succession debate, and even when it does, we will not in any way interfere in the internal affairs of the ANC," the YCL said. "We will however not stand by as communists are being sidelined for attack in the build-up to the ANC conference."