MUMBAI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said politicians must listen to young people and engage with them, arguing that Gen Z and Gen Alpha will play an increasingly important role in Indian politics and elections.Speaking about his interaction with young protesters, Tharoor said he went to Jantar Mantar during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests simply to listen to their concerns and did not deliver a speech.“I believe that in politics, you must listen to people and engage with them. Ultimately, politics is about the good of the country,” Tharoor said.He noted that young people would constitute a significant section of the electorate, adding that they would form the “largest single voting bloc” in the 2029 elections.“And young people are now an increasingly significant segment of our population. As I pointed out, they will be the largest single voting bloc in 2029. It is also in our political interest to listen to what they care about and what they want. So, I am very much inclined to talk to them,” Tharoor said.“Even at Jantar Mantar, I went there only to listen. I did not give any speech at Jantar Mantar; I was simply listening to what they had to say. We have to listen. That is a very important message for all politicians, ” Tharoor told PTI.Shashi Tharoor said the ruling party had received a “rude wake-up call” following the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests, recent political developments and bypoll results.Speaking about the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks, Tharoor said the CJP protests had demonstrated the growing influence of young voters and their concerns.He pointed to the CJP protests, the resignation of a minister and the passage of a bill, saying these developments showed the political impact of the movement.Tharoor also cited recent bypoll results, including Prashant Kishor’s victory in a BJP stronghold that the party had held for more than three decades. He also referred to the Congress retaining the Datia seat in Madhya Pradesh.“These are both Hindi heartland states,” Tharoor said, adding that the results indicated that the political landscape could be changing.Looking ahead to the upcoming electoral cycle, Tharoor said the Congress could have a strong opportunity in states going to polls next March.“I believe there is a good chance. We fortunately have in our system these different elections at different times. Already next March there’ll be a few states coming into play where the Congress can be very much capable of winning those states,” he said.(With agency inputs)
