Young leaders demand change in political order

Somajiguda: A Roundtable on ‘Youth participation in main stream politics’ was organised to sensitise the political parties on need to infuse young blood in the political arena, ahead of the 2019 elections, at Press Club Somajiguda on Monday, Somajiguda. Pilot Rohit Reddy, president, Young Leaders; convened the meeting and was attended by youth from across the political spectrum representing the student and youth wings of most major political parties.

Over sixty young leaders came on a single platform and articulated their opinion on the occasion. They voiced in unison the need to make space for youth and enhance the youth representation in the legislative bodies. The forum reasoned that India being a young country with youth constituting more than 65 per cent of the population, is being deprived of representation from this segment in the legislative bodies and policy making in the country. The average age of Indian population is 29 years, while the members of parliament representing them have an average age of 53.03 year and even Telangana Assembly doesn’t lag behind. The representation of youth in Lok Sabha is less than a third, at 28 per cent.

Youth is the backbone of all political parties, they are the ones who reach out to the voters, mobilise their opinion and ensure the success of the party. But when it comes to their share in shaping the country’s future, they find themselves relegated. With the growing disillusionment amongst the youth against the current state of affairs and the rising number of young voters ready to exercise franchise, a silent revolution is taking place. 

The Round-table demanded that 50 per cent reservation to youth (below the age of 45 years) in all constitutionally elected positions. Bar on contesting in all constitutionally elected positions i.e., Panchayat to Parliament once a person reaches the age of 65 years. It also demanded bar on holding constitutionally elected positions i.e., Panchayat to Parliament for more than 2 terms either consecutively or cumulatively.