I will retire from politics at 55: Rahul Gandhi

Replying to a query on retirement age for politicians during interaction with students at Dr Veerendra Heggade Kalakshetra in Sattur near here on Friday, Rahul said there cannot be hard and fast rule on retirement age for politicians.

“Mere seven per cent of the population in the country is graduate. It cannot rule the rest 93 per cent of the people,” the second-time Lok Sabha member said while responding to a question on fixing educational standards for politicians. Rahul said Congress was only an instrument in securing independence for the country and it guided society in the right direction by grooming freedom fighters.

Calling for a regular interaction between teachers, scholars and students, Rahul pointed out that only a few universities in India were taking up advanced research. More than 1,000 students of various colleges took part in the one-hour interaction.

Media restricted

Entry of mediapersons to the interaction venue was strictly restricted. Special passes were issued to the press photographers with a condition to leave the hall after snapping three photos. A minor tussle also ensued between cameramen and security commandos.