Statement 2 is correct. Article 243E(3)(b) of the Constitution of India stipulates that a Panchayat reconstituted after its premature dissolution shall continue only for the remainder of the period for which the original Panchayat would have continued had it not been dissolved. This provision ensures the maintenance of a uniform five-year term cycle for Panchayats across the state.
Statement 1 is incorrect. Article 243F(1)(a) of the Constitution empowers the state legislature to make laws prescribing the qualifications for membership of a Panchayat. While the Constitution itself does not specify a minimum age for Panchayat elections, state laws generally prescribe 21 years as the minimum age for contesting Panchayat elections. The age of 25 years is prescribed for contesting elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, not for Panchayats.
Option (a) is incorrect because Statement 1 is factually inaccurate regarding the minimum age for Panchayat membership.
Option (c) is incorrect as Statement 1 is not correct.
Option (d) is incorrect because Statement 2 is constitutionally accurate.