'Graceful Choice': Priyanka Chaturvedi Backs Deve Gowda's Retirement, Calls For More Youth In Politics
'Graceful Choice': Priyanka Chaturvedi Backs Deve Gowda's Retirement, Calls For More Youth In Politics Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 10:17 IST Priyanka Chaturvedi
'Graceful Choice': Priyanka Chaturvedi Backs Deve Gowda's Retirement, Calls For More Youth In Politics Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 10:17 IST Priyanka Chaturvedi said senior politicians retiring should be seen as a dignified transition, arguing that India's legislatures need greater youth representation. File photos of Priyanka Chaturvedi/HD Deve Gowda (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday weighed in on the discussion surrounding former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s impending retirement from Parliament, saying it was perfectly acceptable for politicians of an advanced age to step aside and allow younger leaders an opportunity to enter public life. Her remarks came after it emerged that the 93-year-old Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch had not been renominated by the NDA for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. According to a PTI report, Deve Gowda is set to retire from the Rajya Sabha on June 25, bringing to a close a parliamentary career spanning nearly five decades. In a post on X, Chaturvedi stressed that her comments should not be interpreted as a lack of respect for the veteran leader, who has remained active in Parliament despite his age.
“While I have total respect for PM HD Deve Gowda, and also he was a regular presence in the parliament at his age, but it is absolutely fine for politicians at an advanced age to consider retiring and giving another person a chance," she wrote. Chaturvedi argued that retirement from active politics should not automatically be viewed as an insult or marginalisation of senior leaders. Instead, she described it as a dignified and natural transition. “It isn’t disrespectful to him but rather graceful choice by him to make way at 93," she said in her post. “A country boasting of a large youth population should also reflect the same in the local bodies, assembly and parliament," she mentioned. India has one of the world’s largest youth populations, and Chaturvedi suggested that elected bodies should increasingly mirror that demographic reality. While I have total respect for PM HD Deve Gowda, and also he was a regular presence in the parliament at his age, but it is absolutely fine for politicians at an advanced age to consider retiring and giving another person a chance. It isn’t disrespectful to him but rather…— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) June 9, 2026 Her comments stood in contrast to criticism from sections of the opposition, which have portrayed the decision not to renominate Deve Gowda as a slight against the former prime minister.
The BJP on Sunday announced M Nagaraja as its candidate from Karnataka for one of the four Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant from the state. The Congress is expected to secure the remaining three seats. With the announcement, speculation over another parliamentary term for Deve Gowda effectively came to an end. END OF A LONG POLITICAL CAREER Deve Gowda’s parliamentary journey stretches back decades and includes some of the highest offices in Indian politics. A si time Lok Sabha MP and a two-time Rajya Sabha member, he also served seven terms in the Karnataka Assembly. He became Karnataka’s 14th Chief Minister in 1994 before going on to serve as India’s 11th Prime Minister from June 1996 to April 1997, leading the United Front government. Deve Gowda first entered the Karnataka Assembly in 1962 as an Independent candidate at the age of 28. Over the years, he also served as a minister in the state government and as Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. Known for frequently raising issues related to agriculture, irrigation and the Cauvery river dispute, he remained an active participant in parliamentary proceedings even in his nineties.
PTI noted that once Deve Gowda retires on June 25, there will be no former Prime Minister serving as a member of Parliament. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: June 09, 2026, 10:17 IST News india 'Graceful Choice': Priyanka Chaturvedi Backs Deve Gowda's Retirement, Calls For More Youth In Politics Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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