Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has proposed a new slogan, ‘Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan – Jai Yuva’, and called for greater political space for young people, saying their leadership potential must be used in shaping the country’s future.

He urged the Union government to bring a constitutional amendment to reduce the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections from 25 to 21 years. Reddy said the issue should be considered along with delimitation of constituencies, an increase in the number of Parliamentary seats and women’s reservation.

The remarks followed the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) Gen Z protest, which forced Dharmendra Pradhan out of the Union Education Minister’s office over NEET irregularities.

Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said young people are already showing leadership abilities and should be given similar opportunities within the political system. He said expanding the role of the youth within the democratic system is essential for the country’s future.

Reddy had on Saturday announced that his government would soon convene a special session of the Assembly to pass a resolution urging the Centre to lower the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections to 21 years. “We will hold a special session of the assembly and legislative council in the first week of August. We will discuss in the assembly and pass a resolution to make 21 years as the minimum age to contest as MLA and MP and send it to the Prime Minister,” he had said.

The Chief Minister also expressed serious concern over an alleged lack of a strong mechanism in conducting national-level examinations, mainly CBSE, NEET and NET. He suggested that the Union government take appropriate steps while keeping the interests of students and their families in mind. Reddy also appealed to the Centre to withdraw cases registered against students during the protests at Jantar Mantar and to provide compensation to the families of NEET students who died by suicide after the paper leak.

In sum, Reddy pressed for lowering the minimum age for contesting elections, proposed a greater role for youth in democracy, and asked the Centre to address concerns linked to national examinations and student protests.

– Ends

Published By:

India Today Web Desk

Published On:

Jul 27, 2026 09:50 IST