The long view

摘要

Lal krishna advani, long a domi-nant figure in the opposition bjp, harrumphed this week over the "personal agendas" of younger leaders in the party. Yet it is the young who should really moan: about the elderly who clog Indian politics, and a stultifying culture of deference to the old. Manmohan Singh, at 80, is one of the world's oldest leaders and his cabinet creaks with pensioners. Pranab Mukherjee, the president, is 77.The oldies are heavily over-represented in both houses of parliament. Rishang Keishing, a charming 94-year-old Baptist from Manipur, sits in the upper house, the Rajya Sabha. He is believed to be the oldest mp in the world. Looking fit in his gold-rimmed glasses and a neat blue shirt, Mr Keishing remains alert and well-informed. Elected to independent India's first parliament in 1952, he offers the long view of politics.