However, former PCC president and MLA from Mandava in Jhunjunu district, Ram Narayan Chowdhary, a seven-time MLA believes that those above the age of 70 cannot be disregarded. “Though it is a good move for the party, elders are equally important because of their experience. I do not see a problem if a senior leader is old and mentally alert,” Chowdhary said.

Younger leaders, meanwhile, welcome the move. National Students Union of India (NSUI) state president, Dhiraj Gujjar, for one is ecstatic. “We wholeheartedly welcome this decision as many young Congress workers will finally get a chance to compete. In Rajasthan, 60 per cent of the voters are below 40 years of age, who will naturally connect with a younger leader,” Gujjar said. He added that there could be close to a hundred new faces in the Congress this time around. Sanyam Lodha, Congress MLA from Sirohi, managed a ticket at the age of 32 years. “I joined the party in ‘86 when I was 20 years old. But I managed to win the first time I contested from Sirohi and won again in 2003. I fully support the age bar as it could shift the tide for the Congress in the state,” he said.

Though officially, Congress leaders stated that the recommendations came from the A K Anthony Committee, sources in the party say they believe it was a suggestion from AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who is a figurehead for Congress young blood. As a young member of the Congress put it, “We need young leaders like Rahul Gandhi or how Rajiv Gandhi was. Older leaders have to be phased out once every 20 years or so to maintain quality.”

... contd.