Hyderabad, 26 July
Telangana to Hold Special Assembly Session to Lower Election Age for MLAs and MPs to 21
In a significant political announcement, Telangana Lower Election Age reforms are set to be discussed in a special session of the State Assembly and Legislative Council. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday, July 25, said his government will convene the special session in the first week of August to pass a resolution urging the Centre to reduce the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections from 25 years to 21 years.
The announcement was made during a candlelight rally in Hyderabad organised over the alleged NEET paper leak issue, where the Chief Minister highlighted the need for greater youth representation in politics.
Telangana Lower Election Age Proposal to Be Sent to Centre
Speaking at the rally, Revanth Reddy said the state government would hold a special Assembly and Legislative Council session to debate the proposal before sending the resolution to the Prime Minister.
“We will hold a special session of the Assembly and Legislative Council in the first week of August. We will discuss and pass a resolution to make 21 years the minimum age to contest as an MLA and MP and send it to the Prime Minister,” he said.
The Telangana Lower Election Age proposal seeks to amend the current eligibility criteria, which require candidates to be at least 25 years old to contest elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
Revanth Reddy Highlights Gen Z Representation
During his address, the Chief Minister argued that India’s younger generation remains underrepresented in elected bodies despite making up a significant share of the country’s population.
He claimed that Generation Z accounts for nearly 30% of India’s population, but their representation in the Lok Sabha is less than 1%.
According to Reddy, allowing 21-year-olds to contest elections could bring fresh leadership and new ideas into governance.
He also said that if young leaders above the age of 21 are given opportunities to become legislators and ministers, it could positively influence the country’s future.
Calls for Constitutional Amendment
The Telangana Lower Election Age proposal would require changes to constitutional provisions governing eligibility for elections. Telangana to Hold Special Assembly Session to Lower Election Age for MLAs and MPs to 21.
Revanth Reddy urged the Centre to consider amending the Constitution to allow citizens aged 21 years and above to contest elections for both Parliament and State Assemblies.
The proposal is expected to be formally adopted through a resolution in the Telangana Legislature before being forwarded to the Union Government for consideration.
International Examples Cited
While advocating for the proposal, the Chief Minister referred to several countries where younger leaders can hold high public office.
He said that in countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom, individuals can become Prime Minister or President at a younger age than India’s current eligibility criteria. He also cited Singapore, where a 21-year-old can become Prime Minister under its constitutional framework.
Reddy said these examples demonstrate that young leaders can successfully participate in national governance when given the opportunity. Telangana to Hold Special Assembly Session to Lower Election Age for MLAs and MPs to 21.
Remarks on NEET Protest
The announcement came during a candlelight rally held in Hyderabad over the alleged NEET question paper leak.
Addressing the gathering, Revanth Reddy claimed that the student-led protests had forced Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to step down, describing it as a victory for the younger generation.
He also remarked that the “Gen Z agitation defeated the ’56-inch chest’,” an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The political remarks come amid continued debates over examination reforms and youth participation in public life.
Resolution Expected in First Week of August
The Telangana government is expected to convene the special Assembly and Legislative Council session during the first week of August, where the Telangana Lower Election Age resolution will be discussed and voted upon.
If passed, the resolution will be sent to the Central Government as the state’s formal recommendation to reduce the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections from 25 years to 21 years.
While the resolution itself will not change the law, it is expected to add momentum to the ongoing national discussion on increasing youth participation in democratic institutions.