Hyderabad: BJP MP Dr. K. Laxman accused the Congress and BRS of adopting double standards on the issue of 42% reservations for Backward Classes in Telangana’s local body elections, alleging both parties were using the BC community for political gain.
Speaking to media in Delhi, Laxman questioned the Congress government’s move to issue an ordinance for the quota while its own BC reservation bill remains pending with the President. “This is a diversion tactic to shift blame onto the Centre,” he said.
He alleged that both Congress and BRS had failed to deliver concrete representation for BCs, using them instead as “political weapons.” He criticised the Congress for merely passing a cabinet resolution without constitutional backing, calling it an act of deception. Laxman insisted that lasting reservations would require inclusion under Schedule 9 of the Constitution.
He also attacked the Congress-led caste survey, describing it as flawed and politically motivated. “Why isn’t the Venkatesham Commission releasing data? The real question is how many BC castes got political representation,” he said, adding that withholding such details amounted to betrayal.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Vikas Kishanrao Gawali vs Maharashtra case, Laxman said states could give reservations only under a triple test framework and within the 50% cap. He questioned what legal groundwork the Telangana government was laying to overcome this barrier.
Laxman held the BRS government responsible for previously reducing BC reservations and asked what became of its Kamareddy declaration promising 42%. He said political theatrics were being used to mask administrative failures.
