Hyderabad: The reservations issue has been creating a rift among various sections in the state for some time now. Tension prevails in Agency districts due to ST reservation tussle between Adivasis and Lambadas for the past one week.
The Madigas on the other hand are demanding the categorisation of SC reservations for long, while BCs are demanding enhanced reservations in proportion to their population. All these issues are dependent on the Centre’s approval. But going by the clear mandate the BJP secured against exceeding 50 per cent overall quota for Patidars, the chances of it approving enhanced reservation in TS before 2019 elections look remote.
The TRS government is primarily banking on caste vote bank and caste-based reservations to retain power in 2019 Assembly elections. In its 2014 election manifesto, it promised to increase quotas for Muslims and STs, which it did by passing an Act in the Legislature in April 2017, but could not bring it into force because the Centre kept its approval pending.
For 2019 elections, the TRS is planning to promise increased quotas for BCs, SCs and STs. At present, BCs get 29 per cent quota and if the Centre approves 12 per cent quota for Muslims under the BC-E catogory, the total would increase to 37 per cent.
The government wants to increase quotas for BCs to 50 per cent in proportion to their population, while that of STs to 15 per cent from existing 6 per cent though the ST quota was hiked to 10 per cent in April 2017, but is awaiting the Centre’s nod.
