Congress vows legal fight for 42 percent BC quota amid Telangana HC deadline

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka reaffirmed the Congress government's commitment to securing 42 percent reservations for Backward Classes in Telangana, countering criticism from BRS and BJP. He cited legislative efforts and blamed the Governor and Centre for delays.

Hyderabad: Countering the BRS and BJP charges following the High Court’s orders on local body elections, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka asserted that the Congress government was committed to providing 42 percent reservations to Backward Classes (BCs) in the State.

“Until the BC reservations are implemented, the Congress will continue to fight legally and politically,” he affirmed at a press conference here on Thursday.

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The High Court had set a deadline of September 30 for the Congress government to conduct the local body elections in the State.

The Deputy Chief Minister stressed that the Congress government on its part had presented the Bills in the Assembly and Council to extend increased reservations and all parties had extended their support to the Bills in both Houses. The same were sent to the Governor for approval, he reminded.

“If the Governor does not approve the Bills in three months, they become act by default. Accordingly, G.O.Ms. 9 is issued to provide 42 percent reservations to BCs,” Bhatti Vikramarka maintained.

The Deputy Chief Minister alleged that both BRS and BJP were against 42 percent reservations for BCs. The BJP-led Centre was holding up the Bills and the BRS in the past had issued orders imposing a ceiling of 50 percent reservations, he said.