Congress seeks to regain BC support ahead of MLC, other elections

The Congress is seeking to regain the confidence of BCs ahead of MLC and other elections, amid criticism over reservation and treatment of community leaders. TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud said a BC leader would become Telangana Chief Minister.

Hyderabad: After failing to fulfil its promise of providing 42 per cent reservation to BCs and facing criticism over the treatment of community leaders, the Congress is now seeking to tap into the BC sentiment ahead of the ensuing MLC and other elections. Following the Konda Surekha episode, the decision to field Sama Rammohan Reddy and Sarvottam Reddy for the Graduates constituency MLC elections has put the ruling Congress on the back foot.

Addressing a public meeting on Sunday, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud asserted that a BC leader would become the Chief Minister of Telangana. “We will strive for BC reservations and, if required, we will snatch the reservations,” Goud said. However, his remarks have raised questions over the Congress’ commitment to extending 42 per cent reservation to BCs in the local body elections.

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Last August, the State Assembly passed a Bill enhancing reservations for BCs. However, the High Court stayed the State government’s decision in October last year. The Congress faced criticism from different sections over its decision to enhance reservations for BCs.

This apart, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s decision to drop Konda Surekha, who belongs to the BC community, from the State Cabinet also evoked sharp reactions from the community. Questions were raised over why Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy was spared despite making several critical remarks against the Congress government.

There is also no clarity on whether disqualified Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender will be offered a party ticket to contest the by-election.

Against this backdrop, the Congress is now trying to win the confidence of the BC community. The TPCC president’s remarks are being seen as an attempt to convince the community that priority would be accorded to BC candidates while filling nominated posts and in other elections.

“Congress MP Rahul Gandhi declared that rights should be proportionate to population. Definitely, there is some disappointment in the party’s BC community wing. We have to win the community’s confidence to perform well in the MLC and other ensuing elections,” a senior leader from Gandhi Bhavan observed.