Telangana BJP Chief Criticizes Proposal to Lower Minimum Age for Elections

BJP's Response to Age Proposal

Hyderabad, July 27 – N. Ramchander Rao, the president of the Telangana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has labeled the proposal by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to reduce the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections from 25 to 21 years as a distraction tactic. Rao emphasized that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the framers of the Constitution deliberately set the minimum age at 25 to ensure that elected representatives possess adequate experience.

He accused Revanth Reddy of engaging in 'diversionary politics' due to his failure to fulfill promises made to the youth.

Rao suggested that if the Congress party is genuinely committed to providing opportunities for young people, it should appoint a younger leader as its president instead of Mallikarjun Kharge. He pointed out that the BJP has appointed young leader Nitin Naveen as its party president.

The BJP leader claimed that during the past two and a half years in power, the Congress government has not delivered on any significant promises made to the youth.

He highlighted the plight of around 2 million students affected by the tuition fee reimbursement scheme, as many colleges are withholding academic certificates due to unpaid dues. Rao also mentioned that 17 state-run universities are facing severe crises due to a lack of funds and teachers.

Rao reiterated that Congress has failed to fulfill its electoral promises, including a monthly unemployment allowance of ₹4,000, free scooters for college girls, the establishment of a youth commission, and 75% reservation for locals in private sector jobs.

He asserted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the BJP has emerged as the largest political party in the country, thanks to the trust of the youth. On July 25, Chief Minister Reddy announced that his government would soon convene a special Assembly session to pass a resolution urging the central government to lower the minimum age for contesting elections from 25 to 21.