Will push for lowering contesting age for MLA, MP to 21: Telangana CM Revanth

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced that the State government would soon adopt a resolution in the Assembly urging the Centre to amend the Constitution to reduce the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections from 25 to 21 years, arguing that India’s Gen Z deserves greater representation in legislatures and governance.

Addressing a massive gathering of students and youth in Hyderabad after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, Mr. Reddy said the Telangana Assembly and Legislative Council would be convened in the first week of August to pass a resolution seeking an amendment to lower the minimum contesting age for Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies to 21 years. The resolution would then be forwarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Recalling constitutional reforms that expanded youth participation, the Chief Minister said former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 through the 61st Constitutional Amendment, recognising the voice of young India. He also referred to the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, which enabled 21-year-olds to contest elections to local bodies.