BRS leaders accuse Congress of betrayal on BC reservations, demand 42 per cent without legal issues

BRS leaders have slammed the Congress-led Telangana government over its plan to implement 42% BC reservation in local polls through an ordinance. They alleged legal inconsistencies, betrayal of the Kamareddy Declaration, and a lack of sincere efforts to secure Presidential approval.

Hyderabad: Expressing serious doubts over the real intentions of the Congress government on the long-awaited reservations for backward classes in local bodies, BC leaders and elected representatives from the BRS party on Friday demanded that elections be conducted to the gram panchayats after ensuring 42 per cent BC reservations.

Addressing a news conference at Telangana Bhavan, BRS MLA and former Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav pointed out that despite sending the BC Reservation Bill to the Centre through the Governor, the government now planned to issue an ordinance.

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Former Ministers Srinivas Goud, Gangula Kamalakar, former BC Commission Chairman Vakulabharanam Krishnamohan Rao, MLC Dr. Dasoju Sravan, Leader of the Opposition in the Council Madhusudanachari, and Rajya Sabha member Vaddiraju Ravichandra, who were also present, demanded reservations for BCs in local body elections as per the Kamareddy Declaration.

Madhusudanachari accused the Congress of letting down the BCs after promising 42% reservations to secure BC votes. He said the Congress government failed to fulfill the promise in time and claimed the government’s recent decisions indicate conspiracy and betrayal. He said the state government failed to secure the Centre’s approval for the bill.

Former Minister Srinivas Goud alleged large-scale deception by the Congress, stating that no efforts were made to secure Central approval for the bill sent through the Governor. He noted that ordinances in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar were struck down by courts in the past. He questioned why the government did not issue a Government Order (GO) earlier and criticized the government for failing to convene an all-party meeting on the issue.
Former Minister Gangula Kamalakar said the Congress government’s actions hurt BC sentiments. He pointed out that during Assembly discussions, BRS raised concerns and suggested the government consider adopting the Tamil Nadu model. He questioned the 20-month delay in issuing an ordinance and accused the government of misleading BCs without meeting the Prime Minister or issuing an ultimatum to the Centre.

Former BC Commission Chairman Vakulabharanam Krishhamohan Rao clarified that the aim was not to create confusion but to highlight government failures. He emphasized the need for a dedicated commission to study BC reservations, as the current one-man commission report, prepared in nine days, lacked credibility. He noted that the bill was pending with the President, yet the government talked of issuing an ordinance, which has legal flaws.
He urged the government to secure Presidential approval and ensure legal validity for 42% reservations. MLC Dasoju Sravan said the government lacked sincerity in addressing BC issues. He criticized the caste census for underreporting the BC population and the absence of a proper commission. He questioned the government’s move to issue an ordinance while the bill remains pending with the President, calling it a constitutional crisis.

Rajya Sabha member Vaddiraju Ravichandra claimed that the Congress came to power on the ‘Kamareddy Declaration’ but betrayed BCs after securing their votes.