Young and raring to fight the election battle

The average entry age in Indian politics is generally considered 50 years. The coming MCD poll is going to change all that.

The average entry age in Indian politics is generally considered 50 years. The coming MCD poll is going to change all that.

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This time, the two major parties —Congress and the BJP — have fielded a large number of young, suave and educated candidates who speak English and wear jeans.

Of the 271 candidates contesting on the Congress symbol, 107 candidates are below the age of 40. Eighty are between 31 and 40 years while 27 are in the age group of 21 to 30.

The youngest Congress candidate, Harish Chaudhary, is just 22 years. Contesting from Jiwanpur ward in north-east Delhi, he had stood for the Delhi University Student Union election last year but had lost by a few votes.

“I want young people to come to politics and do something for the electorate,” Chaudhary said.

The youngest woman candidate of the Congress is Faujiya Khatoon. Just 22, Faujiya is a teacher in a primary school and is contesting from Kardampuri in north-east Delhi.

“We have given tickets to three candidates of 22 years while there is one candidate each of 23 and 24 years of age,” Congress leader JP Aggarwal said.

Aggarwal said his party had ensured all castes and religious groups get representation. “We have given tickets to Brahmins, Gujjars, Jats, Ahirs, Rajputs, Punjabis, Muslims, Vaish and all sub-castes of Scheduled Castes,” he said.

Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta said 80% of BJP candidates were less than 45 years of age and more than 50% candidates were either graduates or above. “We wanted the youth, who are active, have vision and passion to come and contest,” Gupta said.