Revanth Reddy Backs Lowering Election Age To 21 Years

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is pushing to lower the minimum age for MLAs and MPs to 21 years. He argues that if a 21-year-old is mature enough to become an IAS officer, they should also be eligible to lead in the legislature. Reddy plans to introduce a formal resolution in the Telangana Assembly to support this change. This move represents a significant shift in Indian political discourse regarding youth representation. The Chief Minister emphasized that the current minimum age of 25 creates a gap between voting and contesting.

The Chief Minister noted that the country must prioritise the voices of younger generations in its governance. He credited the success of recent youth-led protests, such as the CJP movement, as proof of their political readiness. By lowering the age limit, Reddy believes that Gen Z can bring fresh perspectives to both state and national policy. He believes this disconnect prevents active student leaders from entering mainstream politics at their peak. He insists that granting legislative eligibility at 21 will formalize this influence and strengthen democratic foundations.

Following the state resolution, Revanth Reddy intends to raise the issue in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He has expressed plans to discuss this reform with Rahul Gandhi to ensure national support for the initiative. The Chief Minister aims to "open the doors" of Parliament and Assemblies to a wider pool of young candidates. This development could eventually lead to a constitutional amendment to change the current age requirement. If successful, this reform would align India with several global democracies that allow younger citizens to run for public office.