Hyderabad: Minister for Panchayat Raj, Seethakka, presented the Panchayat Raj Act Amendment Bill, highlighting that it includes a provision for 42 per cent reservation for backward classes (BCs). She emphasised the Congress government's commitment to supporting BC reservations.

Chief Minister A. Revanth took a broadside at former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao for not extending support to the state government in providing 42 per cent BC quota in the ensuing local body elections. 

Participating in the debate on the BC quota bill in the Assembly on Sunday, the Chief Minister said the BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao was against the BC empowerment and creating hurdles for the enactment of the bill in the house. The BRS legislator G Kamalakar's statement of his full support for the bill is admirable. But, the party leadership is not happy and obstructing the bill with a malicious motive, he said.

People have already given a mandate against BRS, the Chief Minister said warning the opposition party of facing public ire again and lose their stature if the party did not stop  playing politics on BCs  political empowerment.

The BC quota was approved in cabinet meeting before adopting a resolution in the Assembly. Two seperate bills were sent to Governor to provide 42 per cent quota in education, empowerment and local bodies. The two bills have been pending with the President for the last 5 months, the Chief Minister said. He pointed out that some forces approached the High Court on local body elections and the court ordered to conduct the election by September 30. 

KTR demands commitment on BC quota

Speaking during the debate BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao launched a scathing attack on the Congress government, accusing it of misleading the people on the issue of BC reservations. “If Chief Minister Revanth Reddy truly has commitment towards Backward Classes, he should sit on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi until the BC Bill is passed. This is not about seeking appointments, but about showing dedication,” KTR challenged.

Reaffirming BRS’s position, KTR added: “On the demand for 42% BC reservations, we are fully supportive of the government. But laws must be crafted without loopholes, otherwise judicial review will strike them down. Declarations are not enough — dedication is what matters." 

Drawing a parallel with the Telangana agitation, KTR remarked: “Just as KCR went to Delhi and declared he would not return without achieving Telangana, Revanth Reddy must also go to Delhi and remain there until the BC Bill is secured. That is the kind of commitment the government should show.”