State BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Monday said that if the Congress was serious about empowering youth and the Gen-Z generation, it should first replace its national president Mallikarjun Kharge with a younger leader.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP State office, Mr. Rao said the BJP had already demonstrated its commitment to youth leadership by making Nitin Nabin as the national president. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s proposal to reduce the minimum age for contesting elections from 25 to 21 years was an attempt to divert public attention, particularly that of Gen-Z voters, from the Congress government’s failures and unfulfilled promises, he maintained.
According to him, the proposal stemmed from fear that younger voters would increasingly question the government’s performance. He argued that the framers of the Constitution, particularly Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, had fixed the minimum age for legislators at 25 years after considering the need for maturity and experience in public life.
Stating that the youth have been deceived by the Congress Government Mr. Rao said nearly 20 lakh students were facing difficulties due to the non-release of about ₹12,000 crore in pending fee reimbursement dues. As a result, several educational institutions were allegedly withholding original certificates, affecting students’ academic and employment prospects.
All the Telangana’s 17 public universities are grappling with severe financial and faculty shortages. The Congress government had promised ₹1,000 crore for universities, but the funds had not been released. Teachers are being denied salaries and retirement benefits, adversely affecting higher education across the State, he alleged.
Mr. Rao listed Congress party’s other unkept promises - providing two lakh government jobs, a monthly unemployment allowance of ₹4,000, Vidya Bharosa cards, free scooters for female students, 75% reservation for locals in private-sector jobs, a youth commission and an employment support system.
Holding Mr. Revanth Reddy responsible for these shortcomings, Mr. Rao said the Chief Minister, who also oversees the Education department, should take moral responsibility and resign. A younger legislator should be handed over the portfolio, he added.
Meanwhile, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy also targeted the Chief Minister, demanding that he take responsibility for question paper leaks reported during the Congress government’s tenure.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Mr. Reddy said it was ironic for the Congress to organise candlelight rallies on the issue and challenged both the Congress and the BRS to debate their respective records on paper leaks and student-related issues.
He also criticised BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao for staging a protest at Dharna Chowk, alleging that protests were not permitted at the venue when the BRS was in power.
Published - July 27, 2026 09:05 pm IST