Ponnam slams BJP over BC quota protests, dares leaders to take fight to Delhi

Hyderabad: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar lashed out at BJP leaders staging protests over BC reservations, accusing them of hypocrisy and calling on them to fight for the quota in Delhi, not Hyderabad.

Speaking on Sunday, Prabhakar said the Congress government had moved sincerely from Kamareddy Declaration to caste census, legally securing 42% BC reservations in political, educational, and employment sectors. He said the bill had been passed in the Assembly, cleared by the Governor, and sent to the President for assent.

He accused the BJP of pretending outrage while blocking the quota under the guise of Muslim reservations. “They support the bill in the House and sabotage it outside by invoking communal rhetoric,” he said.

Prabhakar challenged Union Minister Kishan Reddy to make corrections if needed and ensure 42% reservation is cleared at the Centre. “BC justice is now your responsibility,” he said.

He warned state BJP president G. Ramchandra Rao against joining dharnas led by anti-reservation forces. “If you align with Ramchandra Rao, you’re aligning against BCs,” he said.

He dared BJP leaders to protest in Delhi if they truly support BC rights. “Join us tomorrow, August 4. Let’s go to Delhi and secure our quota,” he urged.

The minister said the government would not conduct local body elections until the 42% quota was implemented. He called for a renewed movement, urging BC leaders, intellectuals, and community bodies to mobilize like the JAC did during the Telangana agitation.

Mocking BJP’s posturing, he said, “You’re in power at the Centre, yet you sit at Dharna Chowk and protest. People are laughing.”