Telangana CM Revanth Reddy said on Saturday that a proposal to reduce the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections from 25 years to 21 years will be passed. After this, it will be sent to the central government.
He said this at a candlelight rally organized in Hyderabad regarding the NEET paper leak case. A special session of the Assembly and Legislative Council will be convened in the first week of August.
Preparing to bring youth into politics
Revanth Reddy said that youth (Gen Z) constitute 30 percent of the country’s population, but their representation in the Lok Sabha is less than one percent. He said that if young people above 21 years of age become ministers, the country’s future will change. For this, an amendment to the Constitution is needed.
The CM gave an example, saying that in Germany and Britain, an 18-year-old can become Prime Minister and President. In Singapore, a 21-year-old can become Prime Minister. He said that in India too, 21-year-old youth can become IAS, IPS officers, Mayors, and District Council Presidents.
Mention of decisions by Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao
Revanth Reddy recalled the decision of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years. Additionally, former PM PV Narasimha Rao gave young people aged 21 the right to contest elections for Mayor and District Council President.
The CM said that if Rahul Gandhi becomes Prime Minister, he will ensure that a young leader becomes the Union Education Minister. He added that he would talk to the leaders of the INDIA bloc so that young people can reach parliament and raise their voices.
Government’s stance on the NEET issue
Regarding the NEET paper leak case, the CM said that under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress would raise the demand in Parliament to withdraw cases filed against students and provide compensation to the families of students who committed suicide. Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, several ministers, CPI leaders, and a large number of youth participated in this rally.
