HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday said that the Congress will push for a historic reform by enabling youth aged 21 and above to contest for Assembly elections, calling it a revolutionary step to bring youth into politics.
At present, only 25 years and above are entitled to contest in the Assembly elections.
Speaking after paying Tributes To Rajiv Gandhi On 81st Birth Anniversary near Secretariat along with his Cabinet and party colleagues, the Chief Minister invoked former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s enduring legacy, portraying him as an icon of youth empowerment, transparency, and technological transformation.
"Rajiv Gandhi gave voting rights to every Indian above the age of 18, ensuring that the youth decide the future of the nation. Today, inspired by the same spirit, we want to give every 21-year-old the opportunity to shape lawmaking in the Assembly," he said.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also highlighted Rajiv Gandhi’s transformative ideas that changed the nation’s course—introducing computers, bringing a telecom revolution, empowering women through reservations in local bodies, and sowing the seeds of Hyderabad’s Hi-Tech City.
"It was Rajiv Gandhi who dreamt of integrating technology with governance for transparency and progress," he recalled.
The Chief Minister said that Rahul Gandhi was the rightful inheritor of this vision and the natural leader to take it forward. "Rajiv Gandhi laid the foundation for modern India, and Rahul Gandhi will be the Prime Minister who completes that journey. Until Rahul becomes Prime Minister, Congress workers will not rest," he declared.
He stressed that Telangana’s Congress government was committed to carrying forward Rajiv Gandhi’s ideals through welfare, development, and social justice.
"We addressed long-pending issues like 42% reservations for Backward Classes and categorisation of Scheduled Castes. We will continue to take Telangana forward socially and economically under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership," he added.