Hyderabad: Telangana advisor and senior Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Friday welcomed the Telangana Cabinet’s historic decision to enact 42% reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections, calling it a “revolutionary step” that demonstrates the Congress government’s commitment to marginalized communities.
Shabbir Ali also issued a public challenge to former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao and leaders K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao to debate who has truly advanced BC welfare.
Addressing the media at Gandhi Bhavan, he stated, “BCs are celebrating because Congress has done what BRS and BJP never dared implemented 42% BC reservations through an ordinance.”
He underlined that the decision fulfils promises from the Kamareddy Declaration, bringing equitable representation in governance. He lauded contributions from Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for championing backward class rights.
Shabbir Ali accused the previous BRS government of reducing BC reservations in Panchayat Raj bodies and keeping BCs confined to traditional jobs, unlike Congress’s vision of professional empowerment. He cited Telangana’s caste census data showing BCs make up 56.33% of the population, and noted that around 10% of Muslims qualify under BC-E and will also benefit.
Calling the initiative “beyond party lines,” he urged political unity in support and appealed to BC communities to align with Congress’s social justice agenda.
He criticized the BRS for supporting controversial Central laws during its tenure while failing to secure meaningful reservations for minorities.
Shabbir Ali also spotlighted his seniority over KCR, noting his earlier tenure as minister and Leader of the Opposition, and challenged the KCR family to confront him publicly on welfare records. He pointed out that KCR had never appointed a woman minister in his first term and questioned his respect for BCs.
Responding to minority representation, he confirmed plans to nominate one Muslim minister in the upcoming Cabinet expansion. He pledged full support for the Congress candidate in the upcoming Jubilee Hills by-election, regardless of who is fielded.
Leaders present at the event included TPCC VP Mujahed Alam Khan, spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin, Haj Committee chair Khusro Pasha Biyabani, and DCC chief Mohammed Waliullah Sameer.
