New Delhi: Telangana’s Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, strongly emphasized the state’s dedication to holding local body elections with a 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs). He spoke from his Delhi residence, stressing the government’s resolve to implement this policy despite opposition from the BJP and delays by the Centre in approving important bills.
The High Court has instructed Telangana to conduct local elections within 90 days and finalize the reservation structure within 30 days. Revanth accused the Central Government of intentionally delaying two critical bills passed by the Telangana Legislative Assembly related to BC reservations in education, jobs, and local governance.
To push for these bills’ passage in the ongoing Parliament session, the Telangana government plans to meet with Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge. They will explain the state’s findings from the Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste (SEEEPC) survey. That evening, Congress MPs will receive a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the caste survey data and its impacts.
Revanth mentioned that the assembly received support from BJP, BRS, CPI, and AIMIM for the 42% BC reservation bill. He criticized Union Ministers Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay for using Muslim reservations to block BC quotas. Revanth challenged the BJP, noting that Muslim reservations exist in BJP-ruled states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. He dared BJP leaders to revoke them if they truly oppose such policies.
Referring to a past interview where Union Home Minister Amit Shah acknowledged Muslim reservations in Gujarat, Revanth questioned if the BJP would suspend Shah for endorsing a policy they now criticize.
The Chief Minister announced that Telangana’s caste-based survey, conducted from February 4, 2024, to February 4, 2025, has been submitted to the Legislative Assembly. The survey revealed that 56.4% of the population are BCs, 17.45% are Scheduled Castes, 10.08% are Scheduled Tribes, and 10.09% belong to upper castes. Interestingly, 3.09% of people did not disclose their caste, which Revanth noted as a new social trend.
Revanth assured that individual survey details would remain confidential to comply with the Data Privacy Act. An independent advisory committee evaluated the data and submitted a report, which the state cabinet will review before presenting it to the Assembly.
He praised Telangana’s caste survey model as exemplary for the country and urged the Centre to adopt it nationwide. During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi promised caste enumeration, and Telangana became the first state to fulfill this promise.
Revanth suggested the 2029 Lok Sabha elections will test the success of OBC reservations. He compared it to the farmers’ protest, where the Centre had to repeal controversial farm laws, suggesting they might also accept Telangana’s lead on the caste census.
He noted the introduction of 10% reservations for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) has made the previous 50% reservation cap irrelevant, supporting higher BC quotas in Telangana.
Revanth mentioned the state is considering removing the two-child norm for local elections. On a different note, he expressed surprise at Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation and suggested the post should go to Telangana. He criticized the BJP for sidelining BC leaders, pointing out that former Union Minister Dattatreya was made Governor and replaced by Kishan Reddy, while leader Sanjay was removed as state party chief. Revanth suggested that appointing Dattatreya as Vice President would correct this injustice. Though Congress will make the final decision, Revanth said he would support Dattatreya’s candidacy.
The meeting also covered political strategies with key leaders like Shabbir Ali, Harkar Venu Gopal Rao, and several MPs participating.
