Ex-CM Shanta Kumar questions BJP’s cut-off age for contesting poll

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Shanta Kumar .File Photo

Dharamsala, April 6: Shanta Kumar, the founder member of BJP and former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, on Saturday questioned the unofficial 75 years cut-off age limit in the party for contesting elections.

He said due to this, several senior leaders had been denied the party ticket during the current Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a press conference in Dharamsala, Kumar said: “As a party worker, I abide by its decisions. However, as a writer, I don’t think age should be criteria for youth. There are many 25-year-old who lack courage and cannot be termed as a youth. There are many octogenarians who have fought and died for the nation and they cannot be termed as ‘budhas’.”

Shanta Kumar said: “It was a matter of concern that Baba Ramdev was quiet over the issue. He is a true Baba who realised the dream of swadeshi. I would call him and ask him to openly support the BJP.”