BHUBANESWAR: Veteran Congress leader Narasingh Mishra today announced that he will not contest the next election due to his advancing age. Mishra, however, said he will remain active in politics.
"I have decided not to contest the next election as I will be 79 in 2019," Mishra who represents Bolangir in the assembly said and added, "I don't think I can do justice to the people of my constituency at this age by contesting election," he said.
Mishra was reacting to a news item in a local daily which said he would quit politics.
"It is not correct. I was born in politics and will remain in politics till I am alive," he said. The leader of the opposition said he had earlier sent am email to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi saying it was not proper for a politician to contest election after 70.
Mishra's proposal that one should not contest election after 70 has received support from several politicians including former union minister and Congress leader Chandrasekhar Sahu. Agriculture minister and senior BJD leader Damodar Rout has, however, disapproved of such an age bar for politicians to contest election.
"Age makes a politician more mature. Besides, it will for the people to decide whom to vote. There should not be age bar on contesting election," he said.
The leader of the opposition is not the only politician in Odisha who has announced his decision not to contest the next election. Forest and environment minister and senior BJD leader Bijoyshree Routray had also announced in July this year that he will not contest the 2019 polls. Routray had, however, said that he will work for the party.