Hyderabad: BJP Rajya Sabha member R Krishnaiah announced that the Telangana High Court has ordered local body elections to be held by September 30. The BJP supports this decision.
He stressed the need for elections with 42% reservations for backward classes (BC), as promised by the Congress party. BJP state president G Kishan Reddy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also support these reservations. The state government is responsible for implementing them according to Article 243D of the Constitution.
The Congress party assured 42% BC reservations in its Kamareddy BC declaration and manifesto, and elections should reflect this commitment. Some claim that courts will block this due to a “50% ceiling,” but this is incorrect.
The Supreme Court has previously allowed reservations to exceed 50%, even reaching 60% through EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) reservations. The state government followed court guidelines, conducting a BC population census, which showed BCs make up over 42% of the population.
A law supporting 42% BC reservations has been passed. Article 243D gives the state the power to implement these reservations without legal issues. The state government has the tools needed for elections with 42% BC reservations.
The BJP demands quick action on the High Court ruling, with elections featuring the promised 42% BC reservations. BC associations, political parties, and state governments all call for immediate elections without legal barriers. The state assembly supported the BC reservation bill.
The central government won’t interfere with BC reservations, as the state government holds constitutional authority under Article 243-D. Justice for BCs relies on the state government issuing a government order for 42% reservations and proceeding with elections without delay.
Krishnaiah also pointed out that delayed fee reimbursements from the state government are affecting colleges’ ability to pay lecturers. He urged the government to release these reimbursements in phases to ease the financial burden on colleges.
