"bc-reservations"

The Telangana government has finalised reservations for municipal wards, chairpersons, and mayors ahead of the upcoming urban local body elections expected in early February. The State Election Commission is preparing schedules for 117 municipalities and six corporations, while polls in other bodies remain stalled due to legal hurdles.

Congress BC aspirants in Telangana expressed concern over the delay in announcing 42 percent reservations for the community in municipal polls. Leaders said the promise appeared sidelined, adding that ticket allocation must ensure winnable seats for BC candidates

BRS Rajya Sabha MP Vaddiraju Ravichandra accused the Congress government of deceiving Backward Classes by failing to implement its promised 42 per cent reservation quota despite two years in power. He charged the Congress with conducting an “unscientific” caste census that under-represented BCs.

Senior BRS leaders visited the residence of Sai Eshwar Chary in Jagadgirigutta to pay tributes to the young BC activist who ended his life over alleged deception by the Congress government on reservations. Rajya Sabha MP Vaddiraju Ravichandra and others accused Congress of failing to honour its promise of 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes.

BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar defended the Congress government’s stance on BC reservations, clarifying that gram panchayat elections were being held under compelling circumstances and not due to opposition to the 42 percent quota demand. He accused the BJP-led Centre of delaying implementation and urged all parties to unite under the Chalo Delhi programme.

Community organisations in Hyderabad staged a protest at Dharna Chowk demanding the Congress government legally extend 42 percent reservations to Backward Classes (BCs) and present the Bill in Parliament. Former Minister V Srinivas Goud accused the Congress of deceiving the BC community despite promises in its manifesto and assurances from Rahul Gandhi.

The Backward Classes Students’ Joint Action Committee staged a protest in Nalgonda demanding the resignation of BC legislators for failing to secure adequate reservation benefits. The agitation is expected to intensify regardless of the election schedule.

The Telangana Backward Classes Commission has objected to the reduction of BC reservations in Gram Panchayat elections, urging the State government to keep the polls in abeyance until errors are rectified. Chairman G. Niranjan and Commission Members highlighted that while BCs received 22.78 percent reservations in 2019, the figure has now dropped to 21.39 percent despite a household survey.

The Congress government in Telangana has allotted only 45.41 percent of gram panchayat seats to women, falling short of the mandated 50 percent under the Panchayat Raj Act. This is lower than the 49.09 percent extended by the previous BRS government in 2019.

BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar defended the Congress government’s efforts to extend 42 percent reservations for Backward Classes, blaming BJP and BRS for obstructing the move. He said the Supreme Court’s directions prevented implementation despite the party’s commitment.

The Congress government in Telangana has come under fire for offering only 17 percent reservations to Backward Classes (BCs) in panchayat elections, despite promising 42 percent in its Kamareddy Declaration. A GO Ms 9 providing 42 percent quota was stayed by the High Court, citing the Supreme Court’s 50 percent cap on reservations.

BC aspirants across the erstwhile Adilabad district staged protests after the new gram panchayat reservation list allotted fewer seats to the community compared to 2019. Several mandals in non-Scheduled Areas received no BC reservations, intensifying local discontent

Residents of Mukhra (K) village in Echoda mandal staged a protest at the Adilabad Collectorate, alleging that the Congress government’s revised reservations for local bodies drastically reduced BC representation from 23 percent to 11 percent, violating earlier promises

BRS MLC Sravan Dasoju has strongly criticised the Telangana government’s GO Ms. No. 46 on BC reservations in local bodies, calling it unconstitutional and fraudulent. He highlighted contradictions in the order, which uses SEEEPC Survey data for ward reservations but relies on the 2011 Census for Sarpanch posts, allegedly violating Article 243D.

Over 60 BC organisations gathered at Indira Park, Hyderabad, on Sunday for a demonstration led by National BC Association president and Rajya Sabha MP R. Krishnaiah, demanding enhanced reservations for Backward Classes. Speakers argued that political under-representation of BCs in Telangana remains a structural issue and called for 42 percent reservations backed by accurate population data.

The Telangana Cabinet meeting, now scheduled for November 15, is expected to clear the path for local body elections under the old reservation system, decide on BC quotas, and approve a draft bill for gig workers’ welfare and a new power utility.

The State Cabinet decided to await the High Court’s November 3 verdict on 42% BC reservations in local body elections before proceeding. It also approved scrapping the two-child rule, and advancing key infrastructure projects

BRS leader and MLC S Madhusudana Chary accused the Congress government of betraying BCs by failing to deliver on its promises, including 42% reservation in local bodies and Rs 20,000 crore for BC welfare. He urged voters to reject Congress in Jubilee Hills.

Internal rifts, caste-based divisions, and slow implementation of key promises have weakened the Congress’s position in Telangana. AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge has reportedly voiced concern over the party’s trajectory, especially after the Supreme Court dismissed its plea on BC reservations.

CPI (Maoist) extended support to the October 18 Telangana bandh demanding 42% BC reservations. Spokesperson Jagan accused the BJP of suppressing marginalised groups and urged the State government to push the Centre to approve the BC Bill