Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi with wife Dolly, son Gaurav and daughter Chandrima Phukan. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, Oct. 11: Chief minister Tarun Gogoi feels politics needs more “young blood”.

But as he turned 74 today, Gogoi revealed that he has resisted family pressure to continue being in politics, as he still has many things to do for the state.

In a candid interaction with the media on his birthday, Gogoi said he was under intense pressure from his family to call it quits.

“My wife wants me to retire, my son and daughter have been telling me to quit and go and live with them in the US. But I still have many things to do...how can I retire now?” Gogoi asked.

He, however, admitted that the country’s politics was in the need of young blood.

“This is why I am a strong supporter of Rahul Gandhi. I have also given a fair share to young politicians who can work, although I have been charged with sidelining my senior colleagues,” he said.

The chief minister admitted that his secret of success was the constant company of young people who have always had the urge to do something new.

Gogoi said “dirty and caste politics” would not survive for long and it was time to inject young and enthusiastic blood.

“In these days of global-isation, politicians need to have knowledge about the latest happenings as far as development is concerned,” he said.

When asked whether he would like his 26-year-old son to become a politician, the chief minister said his son had no interest in politics. “He is more into social work although he is from an engineering background.”

On whether he has groomed any young politician to replace him, the chief minister said in a democratic country there was no question of grooming someone. “It is the people’s verdict,” he added.

The chief minister said he had once planned to retire from politics between the age of 71 and 73, since that was the time one liked to be with the family.

“But I have decided to stay on for another few years since there is a lot to be done for Assam. Our state has just opened up to the world. I want to do more for the state,” he said.

Gogoi said he was not in a mood to celebrate his birthday because of the recent violence the state has witnessed and because of the death of his younger brother recently.

“I have visited the relief camps at Udalguri and Darrang districts in the last two days and seen the misery of the people. How can I celebrate my birthday when the people are going through such miseries?” he said.