Hyderabad, Telangana: CM Revanth Reddy says, “When the voting age was 21, the minimum age to contest Assembly and Parliament elections was 25. Today, the voting age is 18. I want to reduce the minimum age for contesting elections from 25 to 21.
Because, at the age of 21, young people can become IAS and IPS officers, civil servants, mayors, and elected representatives in rural and urban local bodies. So why should they not be eligible to contest Assembly and Parliament elections? That is why I want to move a resolution in my State Assembly in August so that this issue can be taken up in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
First, I want to pass a resolution in my State Assembly. After that, I want to meet our party leaders, Kharge ji and Rahul ji, and present this proposal. Beyond that, I also want to meet leaders of all the parties in the INDIA Alliance. We will then see how the next steps unfold. I will do my best to move this forward.”
Revanth Reddy urged the Central government to take up his proposal to reduce the minimum age for contesting elections along with the proposed Delimitation Bill, the increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats and the Women’s Reservation Bill.
“Let us discuss all the four issues in the Parliament at one go,” Revanth Reddy suggested to the Prime Minister.
Stating that “Gen G Raj” currently prevailed in the country, the Chief Minister stressed the need to bring young people, the future of the country, into the political mainstream. He recalled that during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure, the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years.
“If Prime Minister Narendra Modi did it, his name and work would be remembered,” Revanth Reddy said.
The Chief Minister, however, alleged that PM Modi was not listening to the voice of the youth.
“Modi would use radio for his Mann Ki Baat programme. Like a radio, Modi talks but does not listen,” Revanth Reddy quipped.
He suggested that, if necessary, the Prime Minister could refer the proposal to reduce the minimum contesting age to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and hold discussions with stakeholders.
“The slogan now is Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and Jai Yuva,” Revanth Reddy said.
Referring to the agitation at Jantar Mantar and the subsequent lathi charge, Revanth Reddy echoed Rahul Gandhi’s views and demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah take responsibility for what had happened during the protest.
When asked whether he was demanding Amit Shah’s resignation, Revanth Reddy said, “Let us see what discussion would take place in the Parliament and how the Opposition parties would react.”
Revanth Reddy recalled that he had invited ISB students to join the Chief Minister’s Office and offer suggestions for improving education and employment opportunities for young people.
He pointed out that education was on the Concurrent List but said the Central government had later introduced NEET.
“When they want power, they should also take responsibility,” Revanth Reddy said, while calling for a debate on NEET in the Lok Sabha.
