Ponnam accuses BJP, BRS of sabotaging BC reservations ordinance

Hyderabad: Telangana minister Ponnam Prabhakar accused the BJP and BRS of conspiring to block the ordinance enabling 42% BC reservations in upcoming local body elections.

Speaking at Gandhi Bhavan, Ponnam criticised BJP MP Laxman for objecting to the state’s move, calling the ordinance a lawful step taken in compliance with court directions. He said the government was ensuring that BC reservations were implemented with due legal consideration and asked opposition parties not to obstruct a “historic” process.

Ponnam demanded that if Laxman’s stance carried weight within the BJP, the party should facilitate presidential assent to the BC reservation bill passed by the Assembly and pending with the Centre. He accused BJP leaders of deliberately triggering legal hurdles and warned they would face backlash from BC communities.

He challenged the BJP and BRS to clarify their objections, questioning their motives when the state was acting transparently and in public interest. He urged opposition leaders to offer constructive input instead of undermining the process.

Dismissing any link between the ordinance and the pending bill with the President, he asserted that the state government had full authority to promulgate ordinances when the Assembly was not in session. He said the ordinance was meant to remove a 50% cap clause in the 2018 Panchayat Raj Act, in line with previous court rulings.

He accused the BJP of reviving its “Manuvadi” ideology to sabotage reservations, recalling the party’s past opposition to Mandal Commission recommendations. He also took aim at the BJP’s newly appointed state president, calling it a reflection of a feudal mindset.

Ponnam called on BC leaders within the BJP and BRS to pressure their leadership to support the ordinance. He warned them against compromising on reservations for political positions and accused BJP leaders of insincerity in their support for BC causes.

He said Telangana ministers and all-party delegations were ready to travel to Delhi if needed and urged BJP’s BC MPs to help secure presidential approval for the bill pending at the Centre.