Minister Ponnam urges political parties to file affidavits in High Court supporting 42% BC reservations

Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that the government overcame several obstacles to bring 42% reservations to Backward Classes and urged political parties supporting the reservations to file affidavits before the High Court.

Addressing the media at Gandhi Bhavan along with another Minister Vakiti Srihari on Monday, he said the Congress government stood by its promise to ensure social justice. A comprehensive caste survey was conducted, a dedicated commission and sub-committee were set up, and after detailed discussions in the Cabinet, a bill enhancing BC reservations in local bodies to 42% was unanimously passed by the State Assembly with the support of all political parties.

The Minister pointed out that similar precedents exist, citing the Indira Sawhney and Krishnamurthy cases, where the Supreme Court clarified that local body reservations fall under the purview of State governments.

“In line with this, Telangana issued G.O. No. 9 increasing BC reservations to 42% in local body polls. We respect the judiciary and granting 42% reservations to BCs will not cause injustice to anyone. This decision is based on verified data and people’s opinion,” he said.

He said the High Court will hear arguments on October 8 and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was leading the initiative under the guidance of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “When 10% EWS reservations were introduced, the 50% ceiling was already relaxed. Tamil Nadu has implemented 69% reservations under the Ninth Schedule,” he reminded.

Targeting BJP, Mr. Prabhakar directly questioned national BC cell president K. Laxman to clarify why he would oppose reservations for BCs. “If you are truly the voice of BCs, use your influence to get the pending bill cleared by the President,” he said.