Why Are Telangana Congress Leaders Protesting in Delhi for Backward Class Quota?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Congress leaders are protesting in Delhi for Backward Classes reservation.
- The protest seeks Presidential assent for two important bills.
- There is a proposed 42 percent quota for Backward Classes.
- Congress aims to draw attention to the delay in the legislative process.
- Upcoming dharna is set for August 6 at Jantar Mantar.
Hyderabad, Aug 4 (NationPress) Leaders and members of the Telangana Congress embarked on a special train journey to Delhi on Monday to take part in a demonstration advocating for Presidential approval of the Backward Classes reservation bills that were ratified by the state assembly.
Among those on board the train at Cherlapalli Railway Station were AICC state affairs in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, and Animal Husbandry Minister Vakati Srihari.
During a press interaction, Mahesh Goud accused Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and other BJP officials of attempting to impede the 42 percent quota for Backward Classes. He emphasized that Rahul Gandhi and fellow Congress leaders are spearheading a significant movement advocating for Backward Class reservations.
As per Congress insiders, a total of 25 representatives from each district are traveling to the national capital via the special train.
They are set to engage in a dharna led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at Jantar Mantar on August 6.
The Congress party has already declared a three-day protest in Delhi to advocate for Presidential assent for two bills passed in March that aim to elevate reservation for BCs to 42 percent in education, employment, and local governance.
On August 5, Congress MPs will propose an adjournment motion in Parliament to call for a discussion on the Backward Class quota bills.
On the following day, the Chief Minister, along with Cabinet members and other Congress figures, will conduct a dharna at Jantar Mantar.
On August 7, the Chief Minister and senior leaders plan to seek a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu to present a memorandum regarding the pending legislation.
Ponnam Prabhakar previously mentioned that Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, will also engage with the President.
The Congress leaders criticized the BJP for obstructing the bills on the grounds of including Muslims.
BJP officials contend that Congress is providing a 10 percent reservation to Muslims under the guise of Backward Classes, despite the promise of a 42 percent quota for Backward Classes.
Due to the holdup in acquiring Presidential assent for the bills, the state government has opted to issue an ordinance to ensure 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes in the upcoming local body elections.
However, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has yet to approve the draft ordinance submitted last month.