Seniority, experience matter, says Rajasthan minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas on Congress' youth resolution

JAIPUR: Barely a few days after the Congress passed a resolution on increasing representation of youth at the three-day brainstorming at ‘Nav Sankalp Shivir' in Udaipur, a Rajasthan cabinet minister has raised objections to the idea.
Food and civil supplies minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas (53) on Tuesday said that seniority and experience also mattered and should be respected. Irrespective of the age, leaders who have the capacity to deliver should be encouraged, Khachariyawas said.
The cabinet minister's statement is being seen as a support for Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot (71) and as a counter to Sachin Pilot (44) who has stressed on inducting more youth.
"Age has no place in politics. My thinking is different. Young people should not have the misconception that we are the only ones fit or we can do good work. Seniority, experience, and age also teach a lot..."
To talk about age is to hide one’s weaknesses: Min
"...We all know how old the prime minister of this country is. To talk about age is to hide one's weaknesses," Khachariawas said.
"Politics is an open field. Be it Congress or BJP, those who deserve will come to the fore. The one who has the power to break the ground and the wall. Today, if you stop any powerful leader in Congress or BJP because he comes from a political family, then tomorrow there will be trouble," he said on the party's decision to debar more than one person from a family to contest polls.
The firebrand leader said that a candidate should be deserving and a fit case. "What matters is popularity. People who can stand in the midst of the public, shed blood and sweat will come forward. Parties must understand the choice of the people, irrespective of age, who has a public presence, only then will you get results," he said.