New Delhi, A large number of senior Congress leaders have opposed the move of Rahul Gandhi to deny party ticket to those who have crossed the age of 65 years on the ground that more and more youths should be encouraged to plunge into electoral politics.

According to a senior party office bearer Rahul had in a recent meeting with the central party office bearers suggested that senior party leaders who have contested the Lok Sabha or assembly elections more than five or six times should now be rested and instead be asked to strengthen the party organization using their vast experience in politics and the functioning of government.

Several senior party leaders have reportedly urged the party president Sonia Gandhi to have a discussion on the suggestion in the meeting of the Central Working Committee in its next meeting scheduled to be held this month-end. If the suggestion of Rahul Gandhi were implemented almost half of the Congress leadership would be wiped out from the electoral politics.

The ruling party has been drawing flaks for giving priorities to leaders who have already crossed the age of 70. Many of them, who are either MPs or MLAs or the ministers, are serving in the government even at the age of over 80 years. A youth Congress leader who is close to Rahul said the move is aimed at infusing young blood in the party.

The seniors who have opposed the move contend that such an attempt would weaken the party as well as the government as neither the party not the administration could be run without vast political experience seniors. Stating that they are not averse to bringing more and more youths into the electoral politics, the seniors argued that young generation should be encouraged gradually not on the criteria, which would virtually wipe out the party. Besides, the support of the party, one also needs vast electoral experience to win an election, said a senior party leader.

The Congress party's unit in Rajasthan has already implemented Rahul's suggestion. State party chief C P Joshi has in a meeting of the party's state election committee unfoled the criteria for party ticket to contest next year Lok Sabha election. He announced that those who are over 70 years of age would not be given ticket and they should contribute to the party organization.

"Rahul Gandhi himself has suggested that the youth should be given the maximum opportunity in electoral politics and senior leaders should contribute to the party affairs," said a party general secretary. The age-bar move has come as a surprise for a large section of senior Congress leaders. It could cast its shadow over the party organization as the party lacks the existence of second rung leadership both at the national and state levels.

The young party leaders have been complaining that the senior have never attempted to create second-rung leadership. Very few leaders who came from NSUI or the youth Congress have been successful in playing a role as senior party leaders at national level. Rahul's bid is seen as powerful tool to provide them ample opportunities to prove their worth.

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