Congress gearing for generational shift?

Janardan Dwivedi wants setting age-limit for ‘active politics’.

Dwivedi is the third oldest among the 12 general secretaries of the Congress, Ambika Soni and Madhusudan Mistry being older than him.

As the Congress waits for a revamp of the AICC, party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi Thursday called for fixing an age-limit for holding “active posts” in the organisation. The veteran’s call for a generational shift and setting a 65 or 70 age ceiling for occupying active posts provoked a debate in the party on whether the old guard was preparing itself to make way for the younger lot.

Dwivedi, who will turn 69 next week, virtually set the cat among the pigeons with his call. “After a certain age, people should not hold active posts in a political organisation, active posts which require much running around and physical ability… I am not saying that they should retire, but such active posts which require a lot of running around and physical capacity should be held by the younger people,” he said. Dwivedi said generational shift is a natural process which has to happen.

He said there are other responsibilities which the older leaders can take up in the party. “There are all kinds of committees for deliberations and (there are) other responsibilities. They can give their contribution in many ways,” said Dwivedi, who is in-charge of the organisation.

He, however, made it clear that age-limit should not be applicable for the post of Congress president and members of the Congress Working Committee, the highest decision and policy-making body of the party.

Similarly, the President of India, Vice President and Prime Minister may also be treated as exceptions. “There is a resolution of the Congress Working Committee that no leader should hold two posts but the Congress president and the Prime Minister have been kept off it,” he said.

Dwivedi’s remarks, in response to questions on the BJP dropping veterans L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi from the powerful Parliamentary Board and setting up a mentors’ panel to accommodate them, triggered a debate in the party both over its timing and intent. While many felt the old war horse may have foreseen a generational shift and hence was preparing the ground for the eventuality, Dwivedi said he has been holding this view for long, even when he was in the youth movement.

Dwivedi is the third oldest among the 12 general secretaries of the Congress, Ambika Soni and Madhusudan Mistry being older than him.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More