Hyderabad: Seeking to strengthen its connect with young voters ahead of local body elections, Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao on Thursday said the party would give priority to youth in the upcoming corporation polls and strive to allot nearly 90% of opportunities to young candidates.Addressing the media at the BJP state office during a joining programme, Rao said the party had been focusing on youth, intellectuals and women ever since he assumed charge as state president. He claimed that large numbers of youngsters were joining the BJP every week, reflecting growing confidence in the party.Rao attributed the trend to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic reforms, which he said had expanded employment opportunities across the country. Increased job prospects were drawing more young people towards the BJP, he said, adding that the party enjoyed strong support among Gen Z voters.Targeting the Congress, the BJP leader alleged that the ruling party was attempting to mislead the youth for political gains. He asserted that the BJP had consistently provided opportunities for young leaders and would continue to place them at the forefront of its political strategy.Referring to the anniversary of the Emergency, Rao described it as a “dark chapter” in India’s democratic history and accused the then Congress govt of suppressing democratic institutions and civil liberties. He said the younger generation needed to be made aware of the events that unfolded during the emergency period.
