Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Vakiti Srihari travelled to Delhi on Sunday to prepare for the Supreme Court hearing on the BC quota case. The team will consult senior legal experts to finalise arguments.
The Telangana government had issued a GO granting 42% reservation to BCs in local body elections. A petition later challenged this decision in the Supreme Court. In response, ministers are now coordinating closely with legal teams to defend the quota.
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar stated that the attempt to block BC reservations is politically motivated. He clarified that the 42% quota does not affect existing provisions for SCs, STs, or EWS groups.
Congress ministers defend BC quota as constitutional and inclusive
He emphasised that the Congress government under CM Revanth Reddy is implementing Rahul Gandhi’s vision of social justice. According to Ponnam, the decision reflects a long-overdue corrective step for backward classes across Telangana.
Addressing criticism from groups like Reddy Jagruti, Ponnam said such views do not represent collective sentiment. He called on community leaders to back BCs, especially in rural areas where marginalised sections face deep structural challenges.
He also said the bill received broad legislative support in the Assembly. “All parties endorsed it. That unity must now reflect in the courts,” he said.
Following instructions from the CM, PCC, and AICC, the ministers will now meet senior advocates in Delhi. They plan to ensure that the state presents a firm, rights-based defence in the Supreme Court.
Ponnam concluded by stating that the Congress will not compromise on social equity. “Justice for backward classes is non-negotiable,” he said.
