Telangana CM Pushes to Lower Contesting Age for MLAs, MPs to 21!

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has announced a significant push to empower India's youth by seeking to lower the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections from 25 to 21 years. The Chief Minister stated that the state government will soon adopt a resolution in the Assembly to urge the Centre to amend the Constitution, arguing that India’s Gen Z deserves greater representation in legislatures and governance.

Addressing a large gathering of students and youth in Hyderabad, Mr. Reddy revealed that the Telangana Assembly and Legislative Council are set to convene in the first week of August. During this session, a resolution will be passed specifically requesting the amendment to reduce the minimum contesting age for Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies. Following its passage, this crucial resolution will then be forwarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for consideration.

In advocating for this change, Chief Minister Reddy drew parallels with historical constitutional reforms that significantly expanded youth participation. He highlighted that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi played a pivotal role in reducing the voting age from 21 to 18 through the 61st Constitutional Amendment, a move that recognized and amplified the voice of young India. Additionally, Mr. Reddy referenced the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, introduced during former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao's tenure, which already allow 21-year-olds to contest elections for local bodies, setting a precedent for his current proposal. This initiative underscores a commitment to fostering a more inclusive political landscape for the nation's younger demographic.

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