BRS Delegation to Meet Union Ministers on Key Issues
A delegation from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), led by its working president KT Rama Rao, plans to meet Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari soon. The discussions will focus on the University Grants Commission (UGC) draft proposing changes in university recruitment and issues related to national highways in Telangana.
Speaking at a press conference at the party office, senior BRS leader B Vinod Kumar highlighted that many states are opposing the new UGC rules. He noted that the Tamil Nadu Assembly had already passed a resolution against these rules, and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the Centre for undermining federalism. Similarly, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, despite being an NDA ally, have opposed the proposals. However, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has yet to respond, and Telangana Congress leader Revanth Reddy has remained silent on the issue.
Vinod Kumar revealed that the BRS had submitted its objections to the UGC chairman, Jagadish Kumar, on Friday. He described the draft rules as an encroachment on state rights, demanding their immediate withdrawal. “It is undemocratic to give the power to appoint Vice-Chancellors to the Governor. This move undermines the spirit of federalism and allows the Centre to appoint anyone, even those without teaching experience,” he stated.
Another senior leader, D Sravan Kumar, questioned why figures like Kodandaram and Haragopal were silent on the Centre’s interference with state autonomy through the UGC rules. He also criticized Revanth Reddy for his lack of response, accusing him of consistently supporting the Centre’s decisions.
Sravan Kumar warned that if Revanth Reddy approves the UGC draft, the BRS would mobilize large-scale protests in collaboration with student unions. “The BRS will not tolerate the Centre’s attempts to dominate the states. We stand firmly against this,” he asserted.
