Hyderabad: Telangana minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Saturday reaffirmed that the Congress government remains committed to implementing 42 percent reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies.
He explained that the process began with the Kamareddy Declaration and was followed by a state-wide house-to-house survey. Later, a subcommittee was formed, cabinet approval was secured, and the issue was debated in the Legislative Assembly. Finally, the proposal went to the President of India through the Governor with support from all political parties.
Congress 42% BC reservations move gains momentum
Speaking to reporters, Prabhakar said the cabinet took this decision after consultations with legal experts under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. He reminded that the High Court had directed completion of local body elections by September 30.
He criticised the BRS government for bringing in restrictive laws. “The Panchayat Raj Act of 2018 and the Municipal Act of 2019 imposed a 50 percent ceiling. That became a major hurdle. We have now brought an Ordinance to lift it. All parties will be consulted in the House before passage,” he said.
The minister also thanked Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, ministers, and PCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud for supporting the initiative. He emphasised that the government took this decision only after detailed legal scrutiny. Moreover, he said the goal was to empower weaker sections through fair representation in governance.
బీసీ లకు 42 శాతం రిజర్వేషన్లు అమలు చేయాలని మా ప్రభుత్వం చిత్తశుద్దిగా పని చేస్తుంది pic.twitter.com/ZKArCMXrwl
— Ponnam Prabhakar (@Ponnam_INC) August 30, 2025