This refers to the report “Murli Deora stays away from office, confirms resignation” (July 6). The corporate affairs minister’s resignation comes close after Home Minister P Chidambaram stated that “we should have young ministers, including Cabinet ministers in their late 40s and early 50s”. Chidambaram is 65 and the Cabinet is headed by a 78-year-old prime minister. Foreign Minister S M Krishna is 79, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is 75, Defence Minister A K Antony and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar are both 70. Moreover, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is above 60. It is not that easy to infuse young blood in the Cabinet when even senior ministers who make such public statements are reluctant to give up their positions.
K V Rao, Bangalore
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