BRS demands 42 per cent BC quota for local body polls, warns of agitation

The BRS warned the Congress government against holding local body polls without implementing 42 per cent BC reservations with Presidential assent. Leaders criticised CM Revanth Reddy for inaction and threatened a State-wide agitation if elections were held based on a GO

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Tuesday issued a stern warning to the Congress government in the State, demanding that local body elections be held only after implementing 42 per cent reservations for Backward Classes (BCs). Several senior BRS leaders said Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had cheated BCs after promising caste-based reservations in the Kamareddy Declaration.

Ahead of the State Cabinet meeting scheduled on Thursday, speculations are rife that the government might issue a GO to implement the 42 per cent BC reservations and proceed with local body elections. The BRS opposed any such move without Presidential assent to the BC Reservation Bills passed by the State Legislature, stating that the government’s decision could be challenged in court.

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Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, former Minister and senior MLA Talasani Srinivas Yadav questioned the legality of implementing reservations through a government order (GO). He said the Congress itself might approach the courts through proxies to stall the GO and prevent BC reservation. He reminded that the BCs were not begging for opportunity.

“Though the Chief Minister shuttles between Hyderabad and Delhi, he has not taken up the BC Reservation Bills with the Centre,” he said, warning that any attempt to hold local body elections without 42 per cent reservation would lead to a State-wide agitation.

Council Opposition Leader S Madhusudana Chary said that even after 100 days of passing the BC Reservation Bills, there was no action from the Centre. Former Minister V Srinivas Goud criticised the government for its silence after sending the Bills to the Centre. He said the Congress made a lot of noise before passing the Bills in the State Legislature, but failed to secure Presidential assent. “Now they want to cheat BCs with a GO. This is unacceptable,” he said.

Former Minister and senior MLA Gangula Kamalakar urged the State to emulate Tamil Nadu in pressuring the Centre. “Why can’t the Chief Minister lead an all-party delegation to Delhi and camp there until the Bills are approved? We are ready to support such a move,” he said.

Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Banda Prakash questioned the validity of a GO without Presidential assent and the Governor’s approval. “There is no scope for deceit. Go to Delhi, meet the Prime Minister and the President, and secure 42 per cent quota before holding polls,” he demanded.

MP Vaddiraju Ravichandra said the Congress won elections by making tall promises, but was now deceiving the BCs. He pointed out that even for nominated posts, the Congress had not given priority to BCs, indicating its real intentions.