Should Everyone Join the Fight to Safeguard Voting Rights?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Citizens are urged to unite for the protection of voting rights.
- The youth's role is pivotal in shaping India's democratic future.
- Call for lowering the minimum age for contesting elections to 21.
- Telangana government initiatives aim to bolster education and the economy.
- Support for merit scholarships and educational upliftment is emphasized.
Hyderabad, Aug 31 (NationPress) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy urged all citizens to unite in the struggle to defend the voting rights of every Indian and uphold the Constitution.
He remarked that the nation is currently experiencing a significant movement against vote theft. Everyone is encouraged to support the initiative led by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
This statement was made during the MP Merit Awards-2025 event in Alappuzha, Kerala, organized by Congress MP K. C. Venugopal.
Reddy accused the BJP of undermining the rights of the youth, asserting that the Congress is committed to protecting their Constitutional rights. "Youth are our brand ambassadors. I firmly believe in the power of youth, and their struggle for a better future will undoubtedly instigate change in our country,” he stated.
The Chief Minister called upon the youth to advocate for their rights during this challenging period and commit to making India's youngest national leader, Rahul Gandhi, the Prime Minister by 2029.
He emphasized that the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections in 2026 will be pivotal for India’s future in 2029.
While acknowledging that the Congress lacks financial resources, power, and media backing, he emphasized that it has the support of the people. The 2029 Lok Sabha elections are set to be a significant contest between two political factions, and the youth must play a vital role in preserving the nation’s democratic spirit.
Revanth Reddy recalled inviting Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to run for elections in Telangana during the last Lok Sabha elections, but they opted for Kerala, which they consider their home and Karmabhumi.
Highlighting the importance of youth in politics, the Chief Minister advocated for lowering the minimum age to contest Assembly elections to 21 years. “When 21-year-old IAS officers effectively manage district administrations, why can't 21-year-olds run for MLA?” he asked, calling for a Constitutional amendment on this matter.
He reminded attendees that it was former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who lowered the voting age to 18. Reddy accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of robbing the youth of their Constitutional rights.
The Chief Minister highlighted the Telangana government's initiatives aimed at bolstering the state economy under the Telangana Rising - 2047 plan. The government aims to achieve a 3 trillion US dollar economy by 2047 and a 1 trillion US dollar economy by 2035.
He congratulated AICC General Secretary Venugopal for awarding merit scholarships to talented students, praising him as a strong advocate for those facing oppression and injustice. The MP Merit Awards established by Venugopal are significant for the nation, he noted, commending the Congress leader for his continuous efforts in uplifting SC, ST, OBC, minorities, particularly women and children across the country.
CM Revanth Reddy remarked that Kerala has always excelled in providing education and described its adult education program as a model for other states.
He mentioned that the Telangana government has filled 11,055 teaching positions in just 55 days to enhance the education sector and has built Young India Residential Schools in 100 Assembly constituencies. Each school is being constructed on 5 acres of land at an investment of Rs 200 crore.
The Chief Minister also mentioned the government's efforts to provide quality education to the underprivileged, comparable to corporate schools. “We have established Young India Skills University to enhance skills among the youth, with noted industrialist Anand Mahindra appointed as its chairman,” he added.