Hyderabad: The Congress party has strongly criticized the state BJP president for saying it is “impossible” to raise Backward Classes (BCs) reservation to 42% and add it to the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Government Whip Aadi Srinivas, MLA Beerla Ilaiah, and other Congress leaders accused the BJP of trying to block progress on reservations at both national and state levels.
Minister Prabhakar claimed the new BJP state president showed his true intentions soon after taking office. He questioned why a 42% reservation increase and its constitutional inclusion were deemed unfeasible.
Prabhakar highlighted that a similar initiative succeeded in Tamil Nadu before. He challenged BJP MPs from Telangana to resign if they doubted the feasibility of the reservations, stating they would investigate the reasons behind any failure to implement them. The Minister mentioned the successful caste census, showing that with accurate state data, the proposal could work. He added that the state government awaits the Centre’s decision and the President’s approval for constitutional changes.
The Minister stressed that the central government holds the final decision, restating the state’s commitment to the 42% reservation. He called on all BC communities in Telangana to recognize the true nature of the BJP and join in protecting the reservation process. Prabhakar noted that information on the reservations is currently before the Supreme Court. He expressed doubt in the BJP’s ability to provide justice for BCs, pointing out the party’s failure to appoint a BC as its state president. He concluded by stating that “social justice is possible only with the Congress.”
