Rajya Sabha not old age home'; P J Kurien under fire

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: P. J. Kurien, deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha, has come under the wrath of the youth brigade. Following outbursts by V. T. Balram and Shafi Parambil, more young MLAs, including Hibi Eden, Anil Akkara and Roji M. John, have publicly attacked gerontocracy in the Congress.  Political Affairs Committee member K. Sudhakaran has also said that young blood should be promoted. Days before the top brass of the Congress leadership are set to meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi to decide on the next PCC president and Rajya Sabha seat, the young crop of MLA’s have opened a pandora’s box against the 77-year-old Kurien. 

They contend that Mr Kurien, who had already contested to the Lok Sabha six times and had  two terms in Rajya Sabha should step down from parliamentary hopes. Wadakkancherry MLA Anil Akkara demanded in a Facebook post that a person after 65 years should quit from party parliamentary posts and continue as a party activist. “This should set an example for others. I have asked the leadership not to give any big responsibilities to a person like Kurien. I will not vote if the Congress decides to support Kurien”, said Anil Akkara.

Angamaly MLA Roji M John has also asked Kurien to stay away. Ernakulam MLA Hibi went one step ahead by claiming that the party should not see the Rajya Sabha as an “old age home”. He said Kurien himself should realize that the party needs new face and young blood to fight against the fascism. But senior Congress MLA, K. Muraleedharan passed the buck to the AICC leadership to zero in on an appropriate candidate to the Rajya Sabha.“You should not avoid or underestimate anyone due to his age. Aged people are better option in Rajya Sabha. People like me have the capacity to contest elections and win”, said Muraleedharan.

Meanwhile P.J. Kurien has clarified that he welcomes the opinion of young MLAs and that he’s ready to step down as Rajya Sabha vice-president if the party asks him to do so. However, Sudhakaran gave a word of caution before the young crop of MLA’s. He urged that they should refrain from criticizing the party openly. “There are party forums to address any issues. Criticising the party publicly will not benefit anyone”, said Sudhakaran after he called on UDF convener P. P. Thankachan. Congress Working Committee member A. K. Antony’s views are going to be crucial on choosing the Rajya Sabha candidate. Rajya Sabha election is due on June 21.