RESISTANCE TO RETIREMENT (OPINION )

At  last,the UDF  has entered the final  lap of its 5-year,gruelling
race,like a neck and neck 5000 metres race, where the leader,
Oommen Chandy,  has survived many challenges. It's as if he was
running the race barefooted, on very hostile terrain,on tracks strewn
with thorns. It seems most likely that the UDF Govt. will complete
its full term.The  LDF  has, halfheartedly  tried all weapons in its arsenal  to oust the UDF from power, with no avail,and in its abortive attempts, it has eroded its credibility.

I am not excited about the prospect of  the UDF returning to power,
or it being unseated in next year's election. The people are resigned
to the fact that no matter who is in power, things will continue unchanged, as in the skyrocketing  price of petrol ,falling prices of
cash crops, rampant corruption, fraud,seizure of Govt.land, destruction of the environment etc etc.Even if the LDF  came to power,they wouldn't be able to drop ' manna' from the skies.

I'm interested in another thing. How many 'silver-haired' leaders
will  step down to give way to  'black-haired' (dyeless) ,genuine
youngsters. Honourable  Sri. Aryadan  has already announced
that he won't contest elections again.Such a wise decision generally
wins much appreciation and respect from friends and foes alike.In
Kerala,we say, "സ്വരം  നന്നപ്പോൾ   പാട്ട്  നിറുത്തുക .''
which  means  ''Stop singing  while the   voice  is  still  good .''

Nowadays  there's   a  trend  in  politics  to  follow  the  above 
saying .Recently,  in South  Africa ,Ms Helen  Zille , leader 
of  the Democratic  Alliance  and  Premier  of  the Western  Cape 
Province ,announced  her  retirement ,even  at a  time when 
her  political  fortunes  were  on  the  ascent . Her  announcement 
earned  her  applause  from  the  whole  

  political  spectrum .
Her  position  has been  given  to 34-year -old  Mr  Maimane ,who 
is  a  potential  contender  for  the  position  of  President  of 
South  Africa .

It  would be  a  great  leap  for  Kerala  if  all  the  silver -haired 
leaders  from  both UDF  and  LDF  step  down  voluntarily to 
give  a  chance  to  young  leaders .Leaders  like  VS,OOmmen 
Chandy ,KM  Mani , PP  Thankachen (the  best  siver -haired 
leader ), R Balakrishna  Pillai  etc  will  earn  more  respect  and 
appreciation  if  they  step  down . When  Vayalar  Ravi  was  nominated  to  the  Rajya  sabha ,there  was  an  avalanche  of 
displeasure  and  contempt  in  the  social  media .

While   we  appreciate  the  contribution  of  VS ,Oommen 
Chandy  etc ,we  must  not  overlook  the  fact  that  their 
long  careers  have  been  frustrating  like  the  signboard 
'ROAD  CLOSED ' to   aspiring  young  leaders .

Leaders  voluntarily  retiring  from  politics  isn't  a  new  thing .
In  Africa , Leopold  Senghor  of  Senegal ,and  Julius  Nyerere 
of  Tanzania   stepped  down  as  Presidents . Pope Benedict 
retired ,citing  old  age  as  reason . Pope  Francis  has  expressed 
his  wish  to  retire,emulating  his  predecessor .Nelson  Mandela 
retired  after  one  term  as  President .

In  the  1960s   a  question  was  raised frequently .'' After Nehru ,who ?'' Nehru   died  in  1964 .Since  then many  prime  ministers 
have  come  and  gone .India   prospered  under  different  leaders 
and  parties .

With  all  due  respect  to  the  wise ,silver -haired  leaders ,the 
request  is : '' Open  the closed  road .''