Several young ministers, Rahul confidantes lose poll

New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) Several young ministers in the United Progressive Alliance government and Congress leaders who have worked closely with party vice president Rahul Gandhi Friday lost in the Lok Sabha polls.

The ministers who lost the elections included Jitin Prasad, Sachin Pilot, Jitendra Singh and R.P.N. Singh, all seen in party circles as set for greater roles in the government and party.

Gandhi, 43, has been pitching for opening Congress to the youth and providing them opportunities for growth.

Congress MPs Ashok Tanwar, Meenakshi Natarajan, and Manicka Tagore, who have worked closely with Gandhi while he was in charge of Youth Congress, also lost the election.