Ponnam Prabhakar Criticizes BJP Over BC Quota Protests, Urges Action in Delhi
Hyderabad: Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar came down heavily on BJP leaders for staging protests in Hyderabad over the issue of Backward Class (BC) reservations. He accused the BJP of playing double standards and challenged them to push for the 42% BC quota at the national level instead of creating drama locally.
Addressing the media, Prabhakar said the Congress-led Telangana government had taken a concrete and sincere approach toward achieving BC justice. From initiating the Kamareddy Declaration to carrying out a caste census, the government had followed all necessary steps to legally ensure 42% reservations for BCs in education, employment, and political representation.
He pointed out that the quota bill was passed in the state Assembly, approved by the Governor, and forwarded to the President for assent. "We’ve done our part within the constitutional framework. Now it’s the Centre’s turn," he said.
The minister accused the BJP of sending mixed signals. “They support the bill inside the Assembly but try to block it outside by falsely linking it to Muslim reservations. This is nothing but communal politics,” he said.
Prabhakar directly called out Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, urging him to clear any pending issues with the bill and facilitate its approval at the Centre. “The responsibility of ensuring BC justice now lies with you,” he asserted.
He also warned state BJP president G. Ramchandra Rao against participating in protests led by those opposed to reservations. “Joining such protests means standing against BC interests,” he added.
Challenging the BJP to act, Prabhakar said, “If you are genuinely committed to BC rights, come with us to Delhi on August 4 and demand implementation there.”
He further stated that local body elections would not be conducted in Telangana until the 42% quota is in place. Calling for a united movement, he appealed to BC leaders, scholars, and organizations to mobilize just like the Telangana agitation era.
Taking a jibe at BJP, he said, “You control the Centre, yet you protest at Dharna Chowk. People are laughing at this irony.”
