Janardhan Dwivedi queers pitch for the old in Congress
30 Aug 2014 5:22 AM IST
The senior Congress leader, perceived to be close to the Gandhi family, said, ‘The generational change is also essential in politics. In active politics, youth should be given preference. You can have an age limit of 65 or 70, whatever you feel is right.’ Dwivedi, however, was quick to add that posts like that of presidents of political parties, President of India, vice-president and prime minister may be treated as exceptions.
‘I am not saying that they should retire, but the posts which require a lot of running around and physical capacity should be held by people younger. There are other responsibilities which elder leaders can take up but they should keep away from active posts,’ added Dwivedi. His statement indicates the ushering in of a new generation of young politicians in the party.
Sources in the party said that the senior party leader has set the tone for the ‘organisational reshuffle’ which the party is headed towards. ‘His comment is a precursor to the revamp and highlights the tussle existing between the young and older members of the party. By his statement Janardhan has indicated that his exit from the party in the future will be his decision rather than the young leadership in the party,’ said a source.
These comments have come at a time when there is a buzz that the party is headed towards imminent changes in its set-up with the younger generation likely to replace leaders from Dwivedi’s generation. ‘Eventually it is Rahul Gandhi who is going to lead the party in the future and his friction with the party’s senior leaders is a known fact. In a way Dwivedi’s comment has sparked off this debate between the generational gap existing in the party, paving the way for retirement as opposed to being shunted out,’ said the source.
‘I am not saying that they should retire, but the posts which require a lot of running around and physical capacity should be held by people younger. There are other responsibilities which elder leaders can take up but they should keep away from active posts,’ added Dwivedi. His statement indicates the ushering in of a new generation of young politicians in the party.
Sources in the party said that the senior party leader has set the tone for the ‘organisational reshuffle’ which the party is headed towards. ‘His comment is a precursor to the revamp and highlights the tussle existing between the young and older members of the party. By his statement Janardhan has indicated that his exit from the party in the future will be his decision rather than the young leadership in the party,’ said a source.
These comments have come at a time when there is a buzz that the party is headed towards imminent changes in its set-up with the younger generation likely to replace leaders from Dwivedi’s generation. ‘Eventually it is Rahul Gandhi who is going to lead the party in the future and his friction with the party’s senior leaders is a known fact. In a way Dwivedi’s comment has sparked off this debate between the generational gap existing in the party, paving the way for retirement as opposed to being shunted out,’ said the source.
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