Seniors must make way for youth in party's interest: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

With BJP facing several defections in Karnataka ahead of assembly polls, Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP from the state, Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Wednesday said senior leaders should not prioritise their personal ambition over larger interest of the party and make way for younger generations.

Several prominent BJP leaders from Karnataka including former Chief Minister Jagdhish Shettar, former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi and several others left the party after the ticket was denied to them.

On the question of leaders like Shettar leaving BJP, who started their political journey with party and remained in it for decades, Chandrasekhar said that BJP preparing itself for the future and creating younger generation of leaders, while adding,"I understand that a ticket was offered for Shettar's family."


"When you go for new faces and to give workers opportunity, older leaders usually welcome this unlike Shettar. Senior leaders should encourage their party workers to grow and not think of their personal ambition only and make way for the younger generation in the larger interest of the party," the Minister told ET.

Describing Shettar's behaviour an "abbreation" in context of BJP a cadre driven party, he said the BJP is creating an opportunity for its young workers.

"We are thinking about the future of Karnataka not only about this election," he said adding at the same time BJP is taking its senior leaders along and fighting elections under the guidance of BS Yediyurappa.

Stating that the BJP will contest election on the work done by its three and half years of government and with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading from the front, Chandrasekhar said the party has done overall development in the state amid difficult times of Covid pandemic and floods.