Eyes on youngsters
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 09 2013:
The right to contest elections upon attaining the age of 18 to cast vote or enrolment in the electoral roll is being seriously deliberated by the Central Government, said Lok Sabha MP Dr Th Meinya.
Speaking at the one-day youth convention organised by Wangkhem Youth Congress Committee at Charangpat indoor stadium today, Dr Meinya reminded that even though Indian citizens have the franchise right on attaining 18 years of age they are ineligible to contest elections held under the indian Constitution until they are 25 years old.
He explained that increasing number of younger people occupying important posts throughout the world and similar trend also prevailing in the country is the main reason for the Government of India to seriously plan on reducing the age of contesting elections.
Highlighting that frequent change of MLAs is not favourable in the effective and expeditious implementation of development projects, the MP claimed that significant progress is visible in Wangkhem AC along with opining that the electorates electing 42 Congress legislators testify faith of the masses upon the Congress party.
Agriculture Minister Md Abdul Nasir in his address noted contribution of the youth in the Congress party steadily gaining strength.
applauding role of the youth in ensuring success of the party candidates in elections, he stressed on the need for ensuring longevity of Congress Governments in both the state and the Centre so that more development works could be implemented in a judicious and expeditious manner.
The Minister also informed that AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi has been strongly advocating reservation of 50 percent Congress tickets to younger candidates for contesting parliamentary elections.
Apart from Wangkhem AC MLA K Meghachandra, who is also Parliamentary Secretary, functionaries of different Youth Congress units also addressed the gathering.