'Cong needs to experiment with new faces for Lok Sabha polls'

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Dec 30 2013 | 9:20 PM IST
Given that Congress faces a 10- year anti-incumbency factor in the upcoming general elections, a section within the party feels that the leadership should experiment with new faces with a clean image in states like Delhi where it is likely staring at defeat.
"That will send out a message that we are getting out of the old pattern of politics... Last time also, the election of a few young MPs had created a buzz. We need to do it more this time. The party should take a risk," a party leader said.
There is a feeling within a section of the party that one of the reasons behind AAP's victory in Delhi was that it offered fresh choices to an electorate which was tired of conventional politicians representing them.
The leader felt that the message of change should come in Delhi itself where the party can experiment by fielding young faces from professional fields.
Citing the example of UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani, who is likely to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Bangalore (South), the leader said that such contenders with a clean public image could boost Congress's chances at a time when there is a growing aspiration among the urban middle class for participation in the political process.
The leader also said that, leaving aside those who had a fair chance of winning their Lok Sabha seats, there was no need to repeat all sitting MPs.
The leader, who has worked at the grassroots level and is related to a political family, also said that it would send out a positive signal if the kin of top politicians were to be denied election tickets for the 2014 general elections.
Delhi has seven Parliamentary seats and there is apprehension within a section of the party that the public anger against Congress, which was visible for the recently- concluded Assembly polls, could continue even at the time of Lok Sabha polls next year.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 30 2013 | 9:20 PM IST

Next Story