BJP, BRS Blocking BC Quota Bill: Congress

 Karimnagar: Congress District Library Corporation chairman Sattu Mallesham on Sunday accused both the BJP and BRS of playing politics over the Backward Class (BC) Reservation Bill and attempting to prevent its approval by the Central government. He was addressing the media at a press meet held at the party office in Karimnagar.

Mallesham said the Congress government, led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, had passed two Bills in the Assembly, one to provide 42 per cent reservation for BCs in local body elections and another to conduct a caste census to improve opportunities in education and employment. These Bills, he said, were sent to the Centre for approval.

When the Central government failed to approve the Bills, the Congress staged a massive protest in Delhi to exert pressure. “Instead of supporting the cause, Union minister Bandi Sanjay demanded the removal of Muslims from BC reservations. If he truly cares about the BC community, why is he not demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remove Muslims from the BC list in BJP-ruled states? Why is he not using his position to ensure the Bill’s approval?” Mallesham questioned.

Targeting BRS MLC K. Kavitha, he urged her to hold a protest in Delhi along with her father K. Chandrashekar Rao, brother K.T. Rama Rao, and brother-in-law Harish Rao to demand the Centre’s approval of the BC Bill. He also criticised the BRS for using Dharna Chowk as a protest site despite having removed it during their tenure, pointing out that it was reinstated only after the Congress came to power.