93-year-old Karunanidhi is aiming for a record sixth term as chief minister. (File photo)
Politics may be all about battle of wits but for the first time perhaps a battle of age is going on in Tamil Nadu among chief ministerial aspirants.
The youngest chief ministerial aspirant, PMK's 47-year-old Anbumani Ramadoss, wants the oldest among them, DMK chief Karunanidhi, who's nearly double his age to quit, making way for youngsters.
"He is 93, please take rest and retire. Leave it to us, please leave it to youngsters. You've toiled too much. I've so much of respect for him. Please take care of your body and don't come out in this heat," Mr Ramadoss said.
But the veteran leader appears to be in no mood to call it a day yet. Aiming for a record sixth term as chief minister, right on his first day of campaign, Mr Karunanidhi called himself a youngster while inspiring the youth to bring about a political change in the state.
"I say this because I'm also a youngster," Mr Karunanidhi said, triggering loud cheer from the audience. Seated next to him, his daughter Kanimozhi too was all smiles.
Three of the four chief ministerial aspirants in Tamil Nadu are senior citizens; sitting chief minister Jayalalithaa is 68 years old and DMDK Chief Vijayakanth is 63.
When Tamil Nadu votes on May 16, one crore first time voters will get to poll this time. The big question is whether the age of the chief ministerial candidates will weigh on their minds?