Hyderabad: BJP MLA Payal Shankar on Sunday declared his party’s full support for 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes but demanded clarity from the Congress government on its implementation.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly during debate on the Municipal Act amendment bill, Shankar urged the government to clear doubts among BC communities. He said the BJP firmly supports the bill and asked Congress to discuss the BC Declaration made in Kamareddy before the Assembly elections.
“It’s been 22 months since the Congress came to power. BCs had high hopes after the Kamareddy Declaration,” he said.
BJP support BC quota but demands action on Kamareddy Declaration
Shankar questioned the absence of BC leaders in the Cabinet. “Are there no capable leaders among BCs? The government must answer with its hand on its heart,” he said. He demanded details on the number of BC leaders appointed to corporations.
Citing Congress’ promise of ₹20,000 crore annually for BCs, Shankar said the government should have released ₹40,000 crore by now. He asked the government to draft legislation strong enough to survive judicial scrutiny.
He insisted that benefits reach BCs without legal hurdles or delays. Referring to the Supreme Court’s observation on Schedule 9, he said the court had already clarified the matter.
“Nowhere have we opposed the 42 percent quota for BCs,” Shankar concluded, stressing that the BJP only seeks legal and administrative clarity.
