Parties woo Backward Classes ahead of local body polls in Telangana
Congress, which unveiled its Kamareddy BC Declaration ahead of the Assembly elections in November 2023, promised 42% reservations for community in local bodies, up from the current 23%
Hyderabad: With the local body elections fast approaching, political parties in Telangana are vying to secure the support of Backward Classes (BCs), who form a significant portion of the electorate. The Congress, BRS and BJP, have all turned their focus on BC-centric promises and programmes.
The ruling Congress, which unveiled its Kamareddy BC Declaration ahead of the Assembly elections in November 2023, promised 42 per cent reservations for the community in local bodies, up from the current 23 per cent. This was accompanied by an ambitious pledge to allocate Rs 20,000 crore annually for BC welfare.
However, the Congress faces criticism for delays in implementing its electoral promises. Though the party initiated the caste census, the key demand of BCs, there has been no report even a year after the Congress came to power which in turn further delayed increased BC reservations.
Similarly, none of the promises to weavers, and other caste-based professionals were implemented to date. Opposition parties, particularly the BRS, targeted the ruling party for its failure to fulfil its commitments.
Meanwhile, the main opposition BRS has a strong record of being a proponent of BC welfare through its numerous initiatives for the welfare and development of weavers, fishermen, toddy tappers, washermen, shepherds, and numerous other caste-based professionals during its 10-year regime.
Further, the BRS is one of the few parties to demand an exclusive Ministry for BC welfare in the Central government. The party also fielded the highest number of BC candidates in the Assembly polls.
Shortly after its electoral setback in December last year, the BRS intensified its outreach. In January last year, MLC K Kavitha joined hands with various BC organisations and launched the Phule United Front, demanding the installation of a statue of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule in the Assembly which garnered widespread support among BC communities.
She also held a massive protest in February last year, and also on January 3 this year, demanding caste census and 42 per cent reservations for BCs in local body elections.
On the other front, the BJP made numerous promises to BCs but implemented none. During the Assembly elections last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the BJP would appoint a BC as Chief Minister if it came to power.
However, the BJP faces scepticism over its commitment to BCs, with some leaders criticising its failure to appoint a BC leader either as floor leader in the State Assembly or as the State president. The party has inducted BC leader R Krishnaiah, as a Rajya Sabha MP, to bolster its BC credentials.