Bhatti blames BJP for blocking 42 percent BC quota in Telangana

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka accused the BJP-led Central government of obstructing Telangana’s move to provide 42 percent reservation to Backward Classes. He urged all parties to support the October 18 bandh and sought Centre’s nod for the BC Bill.

Khammam: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka accused the BJP government at the Centre of preventing the enactment of a law meant to provide 42 percent reservation to Backward Classes (BCs).

Speaking to the media here on Friday, he said the State government, which was committed to providing 42 percent reservation to BCs, conducted a survey and, based on that, a Bill was tabled and passed in the Assembly and sent to the Governor for approval.

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He said the previous BRS government brought a law in 2018 imposing a cap on increasing reservations above 50 percent in local bodies. The Congress government issued an Ordinance repealing that law and approved two Bills related to reservations for BCs in local bodies as well as in education and jobs.

Vikramarka stated that the government had repeatedly requested in writing to allow an all-party delegation to meet the President and Prime Minister regarding the issue, but the Centre had not honoured the request.

TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud invited all political parties to stage a dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for the cause. All political parties extended their support except for the BJP. The government has appointed senior lawyers Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Ravi Verma to argue the BC reservation case in the High Court and Supreme Court, the Deputy Chief Minister said.

He appealed to all political parties and concerned organisations to support the Telangana bandh called on October 18 against the BJP. He urged Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, along with BJP State president N Ramachander Rao, to take the lead and secure appointments with the Prime Minister and President for the approval of the BC Bill.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and all political parties in the State were ready to go to Delhi if the BJP took the lead. Vikramarka added that as soon as the copy of the Supreme Court verdict was received, a decision would be taken in the Cabinet meeting to be held on October 23.