Jaipur, August 19: Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has advocated for a significant shift in candidate selection for the upcoming local body and Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan. He emphasized that more than half of the tickets should be awarded to Gen Z and young candidates.
Speaking to the media after a meeting at the Congress war room, Gehlot noted that the political landscape has changed, with increasing youth participation. “I have stated that over 50% of tickets should be given to Gen Z. While the experience of senior leaders is valuable, it is crucial to bring the new generation forward. Their importance cannot be overlooked,” he said.
Gehlot firmly opposed the distribution of tickets based on recommendations from senior leaders. He insisted that observers should have the freedom to evaluate candidates on the ground.
“Do not award tickets based on recommendations. History shows that whenever tickets have been given based on recommendations, we have faced defeat. Tickets should go to genuine and dedicated party workers,” he added.
He even mentioned that his own recommendations should not be a basis for ticket allocation. “People from Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Bikaner come to me with recommendations. If I were to recommend someone, they should not receive a ticket. Senior leaders are often not fully aware of the ground realities in a region,” he stated.
In a bold move, Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra went a step further, announcing that the party will allocate 60% of tickets to youth instead of the previously discussed 50%. “We will give 60% of tickets to the youth. This directive will be communicated down to the grassroots level,” he confirmed.
He also mentioned that the candidates’ past political behavior will be considered during ticket distribution. Those who have won independent elections and later supported Congress may be considered, but those who won on Congress tickets and later allied with other parties will not be prioritized.
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