How‌ ‌Old‌ ‌Is‌ ‌Too‌ ‌Old‌ ‌To‌ ‌Lead‌ ‌A ‌Democracy?‌

“I‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌CM‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌next‌ ‌10‌ ‌years,”‌ ‌says‌ ‌66-year-old‌ ‌KCR.

Author: Pavan kasturi

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Putting an end to speculation, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao made it clear that he will continue in the Chief Minister’s post for the next ten years. But the question about the retirement age for politicians is always mootable. In a country where people are expected to be retired by 60 how is it that the politicians claim to be fit for office at the 80s is the cardinal question. 65% of India’s population is below 40. It is not an exaggeration that the voice of the youth is under-represented and also unheard especially by the politicians who are considered to be as golden-agers and veterans. Hardly 6 per cent of the Lok Sabha MPs belong to the age group of 25-30. Lok Sabha has been getting older every election since independence. Unfortunately, In India, a politician nearing 50 is still considered as ‘young icon’. 

Well, the list of elder statesmen who continued to be in power even after their 80’s is very long. If we look at the national politics, oldest person who became Prime Minister at the age of 81 years was Morarji Desai, Rishang Keishing who was a senior politician of the Indian National Congress party representing Manipur retired at the age of 93 from the Rajya Sabha. Sharad Pawar who is 80 has completed 53 years in politics. 92-year-old CPIM leader from Kerala, Achuthanandan (now 97) was appointed as the Chairman of Administrative Reforms Committee with cabinet rank in 2016. Parkash Singh Badal at 89 was appointed as Chief Minister of Punjab.  

Interestingly Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 introduced the rule that leaders from BJP above 75 should not hold any administrative post in Central or state governments. L.K. Advani, Murali Manohar Joshi, Kalraj Mishra, Shantha Kumar, Yashwanth Sinha and others were not given any administrative post because of this new rule. Further Anandi ben Patel and Najma A. Heptulla vacated their office following the rule. But as there is always someone who breaks the rule, here we can find B. S. Yediyurappa aged 77 as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.  

The argument that provisions of retirement age apply only to employees, and Politicians are self-made independent people like Doctors, businessmen, farmers lawyers etc., and they retire when they wish to or choose to, or can be made redundant in the electoral process. This reasoning should be overlooked because not all the time people vote based on a candidate’s performance or face value. In India voters mind is influenced by various reasons starting from caste, religion, party, ideology etc., Manier times the voter is forced to vote a candidate because of lacking alternatives. 

The argument favouring prescribing retirement age  

• Young politicians are more flexible, adaptive and risk-taking when compared to seniors.   
• Underrepresentation of youth which misses out general millennial dimensions which increase the gap between electors and elected.   
• At a biological level, age-related ailments both physically and mentally affect human beings and politicians are no exception to this.  
• The retirement age would ensure no individual retain power indefinitely.  
• Lacking passion and zeal to cope with the rigours of this demanding career. 

Another side of the coin  

• In a democracy, it is the people’s will and mandate which should prevail. Hence, people can choose to not vote if they find the politician not capable.   
• Tenured politicians possess practical Knowledge, patience and vast experience.  
• Diplomatic relations which were built throughout their tenure might be at risk. 

Constitutional way  

Ours is the Westminster model which does not prescribe an age limit for politicians to hold office. Constitution of India mentions retirement age to every constitutional post like Chief Justice of India, Judges of Supreme court and High court, CAG, Election Commissioner, Civil Servants etc. But the President, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Governors, MPs & MLAs does not have any age restrictions.  

It looks practically impossible to make amendments for setting up of age limit, as elected representatives only have the power to amend laws and by making these amendments, they tend to fall into a pit prepared for others.   

Amendments to Qualification articles like Article 58(President), Article 66 (Vice President), Article 84 (MPs) Article 154 (Governors), Article 173 (MLAs) by prescribing minimum age is an option. Another option is by making a proportionate reservation for the youth in the election process. But unfortunately, this is again in the hands of parliamentarians and they (ruling or opposition) usually don’t disturb each other’s business in this aspect. This vicious cycle can be broken only by youth taking over the political reins and through healthy voluntary conventions by parties or leaders.  

As rightly said by the Prime minister that there should be rapid transformation and not a gradual evolution. If India is to meet the challenge of change, mere incremental progress is not enough. A metamorphosis is needed.  

(The author is a 4th year Law student from University College of Law, Osmania University)