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| Grand old man drops the brick | | Tiwari's retirement from electoral politics | | B L KAK
NEW DELHI: The grand old man of the Congress, Narayan Dutt Tiwari, has created waves in the none-to-placid waters in his party headquarters, with his unexpected announcement to retire from electoral politics. Tiwari, who is curently Chief Minister of Uttaranchal, has caught the ruling Congres party unawares.
In fact, Narayan Dutt Tiwari took everyone by surprise by making public his intention not to contest the forthcoming State polls. "I am hearing it for the first time. It is news to me. I will have to check it out with him [Tiwari] first," Tom Vadakkan, secretary of the Congress party media cell, said. Tiwari's announcement has come with the State polls just about four months away. The Congress party has been pinning hopes on the personal charm of the veteran leader in its bid to retain power in the Himalayan State.
Tiwari, 82, made his decision public in the State capital, Dehradun, citing his advancing age as the reason for it. "It is time for me to retire. How long can I go on working?" Tiwari has been quoted as saying.
Congress party had planned to use Tiwari extensively in both Uttaranchal and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, slated to elect new legislative assemblies early next year as he had served as Chief Minister of undivided Uttar Pradesh for four terms before Uttaranchal was carved out of it in October 2000.
Tiwari, who nursed Prime Ministerial ambitions, was a reluctant entrant to the State politics. Congress chief, Sonia Gandhi, handpicked him for the top job after the Congress won the February 2002 elections. Tiwari had caused a stir in October 2004 by expressing his desire to demit office of the Chief Minister. He was, however, persuaded by Sonia to continue and plans were afoot to project him as the Chief Ministerial candidate during the ensuing polls.
Congress party circles say that his advancing age notwithstanding, Tiwari has his eyes on the President's post. Incumbent President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, is scheduled to complete his five-year tenure in July next year. He has already announced his intention to retire and return to academics. The process to select his successor may get under way around April-May next year.
Since the Uttaranchal Chief Minister is not the first choice of the Congress party, he would be happy if he is made Governor of any of the States, which would allow him to gracefully fade out from public life.
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