Naidu vows to pursue 34% BC quota in SC

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday accused the YSRCP of obstructing the government's move to provide 34 per cent reservation to Backward Classes (BCs) in elections to local bodies and said the State would challenge in the Supreme Court the High Court's decision striking down the reservation orders.

Addressing a public meeting at Repalle in Bapatla district after participating in the distribution of ‘NTR Bharosa’ pensions, Naidu said the coalition government would continue to support BCs in the political, social, and economic spheres and would not compromise on their interests.

Referring to the High Court's verdict on the BC quota, the Chief Minister said the opposition party had approached the court contending that reservations could not exceed the 50 per cent ceiling. The High Court subsequently struck down the government orders providing enhanced BC reservation, he said. “We are filing an appeal in the Supreme Court regarding this tomorrow,” Naidu said.

Naidu recalled the role of former chief minister N T Rama Rao in giving political recognition to BC communities and said 34 per cent reservation for BCs in local bodies was introduced in 1995.

According to Naidu, the quota was subsequently reduced to 24 per cent after the YSRCP came to power, resulting in 16,800 people losing opportunities for elected positions. He said his government had restored the 34 per cent quota after returning to power, but the move was challenged in the High Court.

The Chief Minister alleged that the opposition was using litigation to create obstacles to the implementation of BC reservations. He said the NDA government would continue its efforts to increase political representation for BCs despite the legal challenges.

Naidu also linked the issue to government recruitment, accusing the previous government of failing to provide jobs while his administration was creating employment opportunities through the Mega DSC recruitment drive.

The Chief Minister alleged that attempts had been made to stall the recruitment process through 350 court cases. He further alleged that the Opposition was creating legal hurdles against measures intended to benefit BC communities.

Naidu said the NDA government was pursuing the objective of improving the economic, social, and political status of BC communities and would continue to stand by them irrespective of the challenges.

The Chief Minister said the NDA government was creating opportunities for BC leaders to emerge and advance politically, and reiterated that his government would continue to support greater political representation for the community.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K Varaprasada Rao

K Varaprasada Rao[email protected]

K Varaprasada Rao is a Senior Reporter with The Hans India, covering the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, Chief Minister's Office (CMO), State Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council and political affairs. With over 20 years of experience in journalism in Andhra Pradesh, he has extensively reported on governance, public policy, politics, and socio-economic issues that shape the state's development and influence the country's evolving landscape. He holds a postgraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. His reporting focuses on finance, industries, irrigation, agriculture, infrastructure, investment, public administration, and political developments, with a particular interest in analysing their long-term economic and social impact.

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