Hyderabad: Minister Vakiti Srihari on Monday described the 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) as a blessing for BC children. Speaking to the media at Gandhi Bhavan, he extended greetings on the occasion of Bathukamma and Dussehra.
He said Congress honoured its election promise made by Rahul Gandhi by conducting a caste census and implementing BC reservations. Moreover, he stressed that the government was not acting against anyone or denying opportunities to others. “BCs deserve more share in reservations, but we have limited our demand to 42 percent,” he said.
Srihari urges unity on BC reservations
Srihari appealed to MLAs and MPs not to use BC reservation as a tool for political posturing. In addition, he said attempts to win party favour by questioning the policy would create divisions in society. Without implementation, he warned, BC children would remain backward.
He cited Tamil Nadu’s example, recalling that late chief minister J. Jayalalithaa increased BC reservations and placed them under Schedule IX. Importantly, he noted that her party was not in power at the Centre when she achieved this. He urged the Union government to respect public sentiment and approve the BC reservation bill.
The minister explained that Telangana had passed the bill in the legislature and forwarded it to the Centre, fulfilling an election commitment. However, he alleged that BJP leaders staged protests against Congress instead of supporting the move. He cautioned the BJP not to oppose 42 percent BC reservations, warning that such a stance would invite the anger of BC communities.
