Senior leaders should make way for younger generation: Naik

A day after resigning from the post of Goa Congress chief, Shantaram Naik today said senior leaders should make way for the younger generation for key roles in the party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.

Naik (71) resigned from his post yesterday, saying he was "inspired" by Congress president Rahul Gandhi's speech at the party plenary about making way for younger leaders.

In his concluding speech at the 84th plenary session of the Congress in New Delhi on Sunday, Gandhi had said that he wants to give the younger generation a chance to come forward and lead the party.

Naik today said he would be happy if more leaders in the country make way for the younger generation.

"I have sent my resignation letter to AICC president Rahul Gandhi, and a copy to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. I am happy that in a similar tone PCC presidents Raj Babbar (from UP) and Bharatsinh Solanki (Gujarat) has also tendered their resignation," he said at a press conference here.

Notably, two days ago, Solanki had scotched rumours that he had resigned from the post of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee chief.

Naik said, "I will be happy if more people set an example across India, in general, by making way for the younger generation to take over."
On whether the Congress will give tickets to fresh faces for elections, Naik said, "The youth should show their capabilities to win. Now with Rahul Gandhi taking over, I don't think there is anything to look back for the younger generation."