BRS leader demands legal safeguards for BC reservations in Telangana

Former Minister V Srinivas Goud accused the Congress government of misleading Backward Classes on 42 percent reservations without legal safeguards. He warned that the Supreme Court could nullify the move, demanded inclusion in the Ninth Schedule, and ridiculed affidavit promises

Hyderabad: Former Minister V Srinivas Goud charged the Congress government with deceiving Backward Classes (BCs) in the name of 42 percent reservations without ensuring legal safeguards. He cautioned that even a small petition in the Supreme Court could nullify the reservations in the upcoming local body elections.

Speaking to the media at Telangana Bhavan on Tuesday, Srinivas Goud questioned why the State government issued a GO to increase BC reservations instead of passing a bill in the Assembly and obtaining the President’s assent or taking it to the Prime Minister for a Constitutional amendment. He warned that similar moves had been struck down by courts in other States.

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“People can be fooled sometimes, but not all the time. The Congress government knows this GO is invalid, yet it went ahead with releasing the election schedule. Does it want to bankrupt BCs who win in elections and then lose seats in court when the reservations are invalidated?” he asked.

The BRS leader accused the Congress and the BJP of colluding to block increased reservations. He pointed out that none of the promises made under the Kamareddy Declaration were implemented. He also demanded that BC reservations in jobs and education be secured through inclusion in the Ninth Schedule and assured BRS support if Congress pursued it. He further demanded that the Congress implement 42 percent reservation for BCs in nominated posts to prove its commitment to the cause.

He ridiculed the Congress for asking all political parties to register affidavits promising 42 percent reservation, stating such affidavits would not stand in court. “Will you guarantee the Supreme Court will uphold reservations even if the High Court agrees to these affidavits?” he asked.