KCR reduced BC quota, not SC: Sravan

Hyderabad, Jan 5 (INN): All India Congress Committee (AICC) Spokesperson Dr. Dasoju Sravan alleged that it was Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao and not the Supreme Court which reduced the quota for Backward Classes in Panchayat Raj polls from 34% to 22.8%.

Addressing a massive dharna at Indira Park organised by Telangana Jana Samithi on Saturday, Sravan said BCs played an active role in statehood movement and a majority of nearly 1500 youth who committed suicide for Telangana were BCs. The BCs made several sacrifices with the hope that the community would get social justice in the new State. However, he said injustice was being done with BCs after formation of Telangana State and conspiracies were being hatched to crush their political representation.

Sravan said that KCR has brought a situation where in the BCs are unable to get even 34% reservation in Panchayat Raj elections which they used to get in the past. He said that KCR was misleading the people by saying that the quota was reduced due to an order of the Supreme Court. He said after the Krishna Murthy Vs Govt of India case of 2010, a quota of 34% has been implemented for BCs in all Panchayat and local bodies elections held across the country. He pointed out that the same 34% quota was implemented in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh.

The Congress leader said that KCR simply brought an ordinance reducing quota to 23% for the BCs who constitute nearly 52% of the total population in Telangana. He said KCR did not consult the opposition parties, BC associations or other community leaders before bringing an ordinance. He alleged that the KCR also did not implement the High Court orders for caste-based enumeration of BC voters and categorisation of BC reserved seats in A, B, C and D categories. He asked whether TRS itself had not approached court during GHMC elections of 2009 seeking categorisation of BC seats.

Sravan said that the cut in BC quota was aimed at political suppression of BCs at ground level. Due to the reduction in quota from 34% to 23%, less number of BCs will be elected as Sarpanch, MPTC and ZPTCs. He said of 119 MLAs, as many as 39 belong to Reddy community. However, BCs, who constitute 52% of population, has only 25 MLAs. He said if BCs are given proper reservation, then at least 60 BC MLAs would get elected. He said KCR wants BCs to continue with their old professions and does not grow politically. He also slammed at MIM President Asaduddin Owaisi for his silence on the cut of quota for BCs as it would also affect Muslims coming under BC-E category.

Sravan enthralled the BCs belonging to all political parties and associations to join hands to fight against the injustices being done to the community by KCR Government.

The dharna was also addressed by TJAC Chairman Prof. M. Kodandaram, Congress leader Vinay Kumar, BC Welfare Association President R. Krishnaiah and other leaders.