In Hyderabad, BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar addressed the issue of an ordinance for 42% BC reservation in local elections, responding to BJP MP Laxman. Prabhakar explained that the state government is allowed to introduce an ordinance when the Assembly isn’t in session, and this decision is unrelated to any pending bill with the President. He accused the BJP of politicizing the ordinance.
At a media briefing at Gandhi Bhavan, Prabhakar encouraged BC leaders in both BRS and BJP to push their leadership for implementing BC reservations. He criticized BJP leaders for pretending to support BC reservations and suggested Laxman was trying to sway the Governor’s stance.
Prabhakar condemned both the BJP and BRS for attempting to hinder the ordinance’s progress on 42% reservations for BCs in local body polls. He urged both parties to move past negative tactics given the historical significance of these reservations, emphasizing that the government is acting in line with legal requirements and court directives.
He challenged Laxman to use his influence within the party to advocate for the BC Reservation Bill’s approval by the President.
Prabhakar accused the BJP of blocking reservations under the guise of ‘Manuvada’ traditions, recalling past opposition to reservations introduced through the Mandal Committee while the BJP promoted Kamandal. He noted Laxman’s anger over the BJP’s appointment of a new president with a feudal mindset amid widespread discussions on BC issues in the state.
