HYDERABAD, February 8: In a recent statement, Union Minister and BJP Telangana President, Kishan Reddy, criticised the Congress-led Telangana government’s approach to reservations, particularly the classification of ‘Muslim BC’ (Backward Classes). He asserted that, upon coming to power, the BJP would abolish this categorisation, deeming it unconstitutional.
Addressing the media in Hyderabad, Reddy questioned the legal basis for differentiating between ‘Hindu BCs’ and ‘Muslim BCs’, challenging the Congress government to justify such distinctions. He accused the Congress of dividing people along caste and religious lines, a practice he claimed is habitual for the party. Reddy further alleged that by including Muslims in the BC category, the Congress is perpetrating injustice against the existing BC communities.
He also criticised the recent caste census conducted in Telangana, alleging procedural flaws and incomplete data collection, with survey personnel reportedly missing 50% of households. Reddy contended that this hasty approach has led to an underrepresentation of BC populations, causing significant concern among various BC organisations.
Highlighting the BJP’s recent electoral success in Delhi after 26 years, Reddy expressed confidence in replicating this victory in southern states, including Karnataka and Telangana. He urged party leaders to focus on winning the upcoming MLC elections in Medak, Adilabad, Nizamabad, and Karimnagar graduate constituencies, as well as the Warangal, Khammam, and Nalgonda teachers’ constituencies. Reddy called for intensified campaigns to expose the alleged failures and deceptions of the Congress government in Telangana.
The BJP’s stance on reservation policies and its commitment to revising the ‘Muslim BC’ classification is expected to be a focal point in its campaign as it seeks to gain power in Telangana.