Congress transforming itself: Pilot

Panaji: Congress member and MP Sachin Pilot on Friday said that the party is transforming itself and introducing new faces into the party.

"There was this old perception that the Congress is the party of old people which is changing. The party is now at the forefront in introducing young faces in politics and it has overtaken BJP in this regard," Pilot said.

"During 2004 elections Congress took a bold decision by introducing young faces. In fact Congress has three rungs in its set up while parties like BJP have two rungs," Pilot said.

Pilot was in Goa to participate in the state Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (GCCI) Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) held at Donapaula, four kms from here.

"The competition among political parties to field young faces in the elections is a positive indicator," he said.

"We need a mixture of youth and experience in Parliament .. that is what Congress has been aiming at," Pilot said.

He also advocated the clubbing of all elections in one state so that the state machinery "does not cease to function" time and again during election time when the code of conduct is in place.

"If not all elections, at least legislative assembly and Parliamentary elections should be clubbed together," he stated.

Earlier, participating in the GCCI's AGM, Pilot advocated the need to increase seats in professional colleges to address the issue of reservation.

"I don't buy the argument about exclusivity in the education sector. There should be more seats so that everyone who is eligible can get into professional colleges," Pilot said clarifying that whatever views he expressed about reservations were personal.