Latest news with #NinthSchedule
Hans India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
‘BC bill can pass in an hour if Modi, Rahul are sincere'
Hyderabad: BRS senior leader B Vinod Kumar today asserted that the Backward Classes Bill could be passed in Parliament within one hour if Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi demonstrated sincerity in their approach. Addressing a press conference, Vinod Kumar noted the significant discussion underway in the state regarding the increase in BC reservations. He mentioned that the Chief Minister and ministers have decided to go to Delhi and hold a dharna in the cabinet for the approval of the BC Bill. Amidst public debate on whether local elections will proceed, Vinod Kumar stated, 'We already know that when there is a BC Bill and an ordinance on the same issue, the ordinance will never be approved. Why are the Congress and BJP trying to deceive the BCs?' He reiterated that the Supreme Court, in the Indira Sawhney case, ruled that reservations should not exceed 50 per cent, concluding that 'it is not possible to increase reservations if it is not included in the ninth schedule.' The BRS leader highlighted that the inclusion of key items in the Ninth Schedule began a year after the Constitution came into force, under the premiership of Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru. 'Our argument is that the increase in BC reservations should be included in the Ninth Schedule from the very beginning,' Vinod Kumar explained. 'Yesterday, our BC leaders also said the same. If Modi and Rahul want, the increase in reservations can be approved in Parliament within an hour. Modi has no sincerity. Rahul Gandhi will not ask,' he alleged, adding that Rahul Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, could introduce a Private Bill for BC reservations in Parliament. Vinod Kumar further stated that if Article 243D of the Constitution is amended, BC reservations can be increased. 'If Modi is sincere, this can be done,' he asserted. He maintained that BC reservations cannot be increased through Government Orders (GOs) and ordinances. He recalled that in the past, KCR had sent an Assembly Resolution to the Centre to increase reservations for BCs in the legislatures. Vinod Kumar suggested that the resolution sent by KCR and the bill sent by Revanth Reddy could be discussed and approved in Parliament, adding that Revanth Reddy does not need to hold dharnas in Delhi. Instead, he could engage with Rahul Gandhi and collectively increase pressure on Modi.
New Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana minister Ponnam Prabhakar accuses BJP of trying to block enhanced BC quota
HYDERABAD: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday alleged that the BJP was once again conspiring to thwart implementation of enhanced BC reservations. The minister was responding to state BJP president N Ramchander Rao's claim that it is not feasible to include BC reservations in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. 'It is very much possible if Telangana BJP MPs belonging to BC communities quit their posts to support this cause,' Prabhakar said. In a statement issued here, the minister, who is also a BC leader, alleged that Ramchander Rao has once again revealed the BJP's 'real stand' on BCs and reservations. 'Tamil Nadu had successfully implemented a similar reservation structure in the past, setting a precedent,' he said. Prabhakar said that states have the authority to enhance reservations if they have credible empirical data. Telangana, he noted, has followed due process — conducting a comprehensive survey, securing Cabinet approval, and forwarding the proposal to the Centre for inclusion in the Ninth Schedule. The minister also accused the BJP of lacking consistency, recalling how the party justified exceeding the 50% cap during the introduction of EWS quota. He further alleged that the BJP's leadership structure itself reflects discrimination, having failed to elevate BC leaders to key positions like legislative party leader in the Assembly and state unit chief. Calling upon BC communities across Telangana to unite and resist what he termed as BJP's conspiracy, the minister affirmed the Congress' commitment to social justice, highlighting the appointments of a BC leader as TPCC president and an SC leader as the deputy CM in the current Congress government in the state.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Revanth to seek national support for 42% BC quota
Hyderabad: Chief minister A will lead a high-level delegation to Delhi on Thursday to build consensus for the introduction and passage of the 42% reservation bill for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Accompanied by deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka and senior ministers, Revanth aims to rally support across party lines to push for the bill's inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution during the ongoing Parliament session. The delegation plans to meet floor leaders, MPs, and presidents of all political parties, including the BJP and BRS, to present the rationale behind the quota move and the constitutional backing for it. Though initial plans included meetings with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, Bhatti clarified that their focus will be on engaging MPs from both Houses, regardless of party affiliation. "We will explain the scientific and transparent manner in which the caste survey was conducted, highlight key findings of the Justice Sudarshan Reddy Committee, and seek their support for social justice," Bhatti said at a press conference at the secretariat. When asked about possible support from the BJP and BRS, Bhatti expressed confidence. "Both parties supported the quota bill in the state legislative assembly. We believe they will extend the same support in Parliament," he said, while not ruling out a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sources in the CM's office indicated the delegation may stay in Delhi for two to three days to build momentum around the issue. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The move underscores the Congress govt's urgency in securing national backing for the legislation. On the ordinance sent to the governor amending the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, to remove the 50% reservation cap, Bhatti said approval is awaited. "Even if the quota is included in the Ninth Schedule, amending state law is essential," he stressed Giving credit to Rahul Gandhi for initiating the caste survey, Bhatti said it forced even PM Modi to announce a nationwide caste census. He criticised BJP state president N Ramchander Rao for opposing the Ninth Schedule route, accusing him of consistently undermining BC and Dalit causes. Bhatti further accused the BRS of misleading people on the BC quota issue, and said the Justice Sudarshan Reddy Committee report will be placed before the cabinet and the assembly before being made public.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Anti-BC mindset of BJP exposed: Ponnam Prabhakar and BC leaders of Congress
Congress leaders, led by BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, came down heavily on BJP Telangana State president Ramachander Rao for his remarks that 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) cannot be included in the Ninth Schedule due to legal issues. Mr. Prabhakar accused the BJP president of exposing the party's anti-BC mindset and of conspiring against the interests of BC communities in Telangana. Questioning Mr. Rao's claims, the Minister reminded that Tamil Nadu already has higher reservations and protected through inclusion in the Ninth Schedule. The Minister pointed out that the Supreme Court, in the landmark Indira Sawhney case, clearly held that if a State has empirical data and authentic surveys, it is empowered to take decisions on reservations. 'Telangana government has conducted a scientific survey and, with the approval of the Cabinet, Legislature and the Governor, has placed its proposals before the Centre,' he said. MLC Addanki Dayakar said the statement of Mr. Rao reflects the BJP's feudal mindset and their disinterest in ensuring 42% reservations. Other BC leaders, Chanagani Dayakar, Indira Shobhan, Gouri Satish, Keturi Venkatesh and Lingam Yadav in separate press conferences said the BJP will not be spared if it fails to ensure the reservations are implemented.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Govt. trying to confuse BCs on quota Bill: BJP
The BJP has targeted the Congress government for 'creating confusion' over the 42% quota for Backward Classes (BCs) for the local body elections by talking of bringing an ordinance and also demanding the Centre to include it in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. It once again demanded the Congress government to implement the promised quota by bringing an amendment to the Panchayat Raj section 285 which is within the purview of the Legislative Assembly after talking to legal experts. Party legislator Payal Shankar told a press conference at the State office here on Tuesday that the government can take a quick decision through this route instead of giving conflicting statements and trying to shift the responsibility on to the Central government. The BJP leader saw a conspiracy behind the government's stance to deny BCs their rightful due first by including 10% quota for Muslims within the 42% and now dilly-dallying on implementing the same. This tactics could be to divert people's attention from the government's failure on grounding the promised guarantees, he observed. The government could well go ahead with other promises made as part of the 'BC sub plan', including allocating ₹20,000 crore for their welfare, but there has been no action on this front. Party president meets seniors Meanwhile, party president N. Ramchander Rao has completed has completed his two day trip to Delhi and returned to Hyderabad after meeting several senior leaders, including national president J.P. Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, Coal & Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Defence Bandi Sanjay Kumar, general secretaries B.L. Santosh, Siva Prakash, Sunil Bansal Arvind Menon and others. Mr. Rao discussed the steps to be taken to strengthen the party and means to take the Modi government's schemes — development and welfare, closer to the people. The Central leadership reportedly assured total support to the plans to take on the Congress government here for its failures and taking up agitations on issues of public importance.
