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Key Points

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy is pushing for 42% BC reservation despite Centre's reluctance. The state may amend laws or issue executive orders to implement the quota before court-mandated local polls. Reddy accuses the BJP of blocking social justice while warning of rural governance collapse if elections stall. The Congress plans to field 42% BC candidates to pressure rivals if legal routes fail.

Key Points: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Pushes 42% BC Quota Amid Centre Stalemate

  • Congress explores ordinance route to bypass Centre's delay on BC quota
  • High Court mandates local polls by September
  • CM warns of governance collapse if elections deferred
  • BJP accused of pressuring President on reservation bills
3 min read

Telangana explores alternate options for 42 pc backward class reservation

Telangana explores legal & political options to implement 42% BC reservation after Centre delays approval, risking local body elections.

"We have proved Congress's commitment to 42% reservations. No one can question our sincerity. – CM Revanth Reddy"

Hyderabad, Aug 7

As the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre appears in no mood to give assent to Telangana Bills to enhance reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) to 42 per cent, the ruling Congress party is exploring alternate options to implement the quota in the upcoming local body elections.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday stated this during an informal chat with media persons in New Delhi, where he is campaigning with his Cabinet, party MPs and state legislators for three days to press the demand for Presidential assent to the two Bills passed by the state legislature.

The Bills passed in March are aimed at enhancing reservation for BCs to 42 per cent in education, employment and local bodies. As this would take the overall reservation beyond the 50 per cent limit prescribed by the Supreme Court, the Governor sent the Bills to the President for her assent.

A draft ordinance to amend the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act 2018 to implement 42 per cent BC reservation in upcoming local body elections is also awaiting the Centre’s nod.

The Chief Minister said that the state government may issue an order to set aside the legislation passed by the previous government for a 50 per cent reservation ceiling in local bodies. However, anybody can approach the court and get a stay on the Government Order.

“Another option before the government is not to conduct the local body elections now. But if we postpone the elections, the Panchayat Raj institutions will not get the funds from the Centre, and this would lead to the collapse of the governance system in villages,” he said.

Revanth Reddy said the third option before them is to give 42 per cent tickets in local body elections to BCs. He believes that by doing this, Congress can pressure other parties to do the same.

In June, the Telangana High Court had directed the state government to conduct the elections to local bodies within three months. The government was directed to finalise the reservation by the end of July and conduct the elections to the gram panchayats by September

The Chief Minister made it clear that the government would conduct the election as per the court’s order. He believes that 10 days are enough to complete the local body elections.

“We have proved the Congress party's commitment to 42 per cent reservations. No one can question our sincerity. Since our fight is against the Centre, we made our voice heard at Jantar Mantar,” he said.

Revanth Reddy, who led a dharna at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday demanding Presidential assent for the BC reservation Bills, stated that they would continue their fight and exert pressure on the Centre.

The Chief Minister also stated that they would wait until evening for the appointment with President Droupadi Murmu. He hoped that she would make a decision independently.

He said that if the President does not give the appointment, they would be forced to conclude that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “pressurised” her.

He ridiculed Union Minister Kishan Reddy, saying he was speaking on the issue of BC reservation without any understanding.

On Kishan Reddy’s objection about reservations to Muslims, the Chief Minister clarified that there is no sub-categorisation in political reservations.

“There is no reservation for Muslims in local bodies. He became a Union Minister without even this basic knowledge,” he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
While reservations are important, crossing the 50% limit might create legal complications. Why can't political parties focus more on quality education and skill development for backward classes instead of just reservation politics?
A
Arjun K
The CM is right to fight for BC rights! But I'm worried about the governance collapse if elections are postponed. Villages will suffer without funds. Maybe they should go with the ticket distribution option for now? 🤔
P
Priya S
As a BC woman from Telangana, I appreciate this effort. But implementation is key - last time many reserved seats went uncontested. Government should also train BC candidates to handle responsibilities properly.
V
Vikram M
All this drama just before elections! Both Congress and BJP are using BCs as vote banks. Where was this urgency in last 5 years? We need permanent solutions, not political gimmicks.
K
Kavya N
The CM's comment about President Murmu was unnecessary. We should respect constitutional positions regardless of politics. The reservation debate should focus on merit and need, not personal attacks.

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