Congress leader dubs proposed BC reservation in local body polls eyewash

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji on Wednesday criticised the coalition government for celebrating the proposed 34% reservation for the Backward Classes (BCs) in the local body elections.

Addressing the media at the party office, Andhra Ratna Bhavan, Mr. Shivaji called the exercise meaningless without completing the legal and constitutional process required for its implementation.

The senior Congress leader wondered whether two months would be sufficient to complete the caste survey, submission of the report by the Dedicated Commission, passage of the amendment Bill, issuance of an ordinance, Governor’s recommendation, Presidential assent, and subsequent clearance from the High Court and Supreme Court. He said the government could have initiated the process a year ago.

Mr. Shivaji also demanded categorisation of political reservations among the 138 BC communities based on their population. He pointed out that BCs currently have 25% reservation in education and employment, divided among BC-A, BC-B, BC-C and BC-D categories, and demanded a similar approach for political reservation.

He described the proposed reservation as an eyewash, and urged the government to seek constitutional protection for BC reservations by placing them in the Ninth Schedule.

Mr. Shivaji also criticised the government over kharif crop losses, alleging inadequate planning despite early warnings about deficient rainfall. He said farmers had suffered losses of ₹10,000–₹20,000 per acre and demanded compensation, payment of farmers’ crop insurance premiums by the government and loans at 0.25% interest.

City Congress leaders and other party functionaries were present.