Alappuzha (Kerala) [India], August 31 (ANI): Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday said the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections would play a decisive role in shaping India’s future in 2029, urging the youth to rally behind Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for the post of Prime Minister.
Speaking at the MP Merit Awards 2025 program in Alappuzha, the Chief Minister accused the BJP of “snatching away the rights of the youth” and asserted that the Congress is fighting to safeguard constitutional rights. “Youth are our brand ambassadors. I strongly believe in the youth’s power, and their fight for their future will definitely bring change in the country,” he said.
Stating that the 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala will decide India’s future in 2029, Reddy said the Congress does not have the money, power, or media support. He added that the 2029 Lok Sabha elections will be a big fight between two political forces, and the youth should play a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s democratic spirit.
Reddy recalled that during the last Lok Sabha elections, he had invited Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to contest from Telangana, but they chose Kerala, considering it their Karmabhumi. “We are organizing a big movement against vote theft in the country. Everyone should join the fight to protect the voting rights of every Indian and to protect the Constitution,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the age limit to contest Assembly elections should be reduced to 21 years. “When 21-year-old IAS officers are running districts efficiently, shouldn’t 21-year-old youth be allowed to contest as MLAs?” he asked. He noted that while former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi expanded voting rights to 18-year-olds, the Modi government is “depriving the youth of their constitutional rights.”
Highlighting Telangana’s economic vision under Telangana Rising – 2047, Reddy said the state government is targeting a $3 trillion economy by 2047 and a $1 trillion economy by 2035.
Congratulating AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal for launching a program to distribute merit scholarships to talented students, Reddy said the Telangana government has filled 11,055 teaching posts in just 55 days to strengthen the education sector. He also announced the establishment of Young India Residential Schools in 100 Assembly constituencies, each being built on five acres at a cost of Rs 200 crore.
“The government has resolved to provide quality education to the poor on par with corporate schools. We also set up Young India Skills University to develop skills among the youth and appointed noted industrialist Anand Mahindra as its chairman. ITI institutions have been upgraded as ATCs, and the Sports University and Sports Academy are aiming to win Olympic medals. Education is both a gift and a weapon to achieve many things in life,” he said.
Reddy praised Kerala’s commitment to education and adult literacy, calling it a role model for the country, and commended Venugopal for instituting the MP Merit Awards. (ANI)
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