Hyderabad: A special train left Cherlapally station on Monday, carrying over 1,200 Congress workers and leaders to New Delhi. They will join additional participants from the state for a protest on August 6, led by CM A Revanth Reddy, to push for the President’s approval of the BC reservation bills passed by the state legislature.
Before boarding, PCC President B Mahesh Kumar Goud spoke to reporters. He described the strategy where Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, leaders in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, respectively, will propose a special adjournment motion on August 5 to discuss the BC quota bills. On August 6, over 2,000 leaders and ministers from Telangana, led by the Chief Minister, will protest at Jantar Mantar. The following day, a leadership delegation will meet President Droupadi Murmu.
The PCC chief accused Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and other BJP leaders of blocking the 42% BC quota due to the inclusion of Muslims. He pointed out that Modi had supported Muslim reservations in Gujarat, and similar provisions exist in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Yet, objections arise only in Telangana.
Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, plan to seek a meeting with the President. AICC State in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan was among those on the train.
Natarajan clarified that the ‘Janahitha padayatra’ was not her personal campaign but led by the PCC president. She emphasized that the padayatra, inspired by Rahul Gandhi, aims to connect with the public. The PCC president called for this initiative, and Natarajan supports it as a party worker.
Natarajan highlighted that the PCC president and CM A Revanth Reddy have taken a significant step toward ‘social justice’ with the 42% BC reservation. She stated that Congress leaders are focused on this cause and do not have time for gossip. Participating in the padayatra allows her to reflect and continue working on this critical mission.
