Kavitha to launch 72-hour hunger strike from Aug 4, demands passage of BC Quota bills

Hyderabad: BRS MLC and Telangana Jagruthi president K Kavitha on Tuesday announced that she will undertake a 72-hour hunger strike from August 4 to 6, demanding the Central government’s approval of two bills passed by the Telangana Assembly seeking 42 per cent reservation for BCs in education, employment and local governance.

Her decision follows the State Cabinet’s announcement to seek president Droupadi Murmu’s assent for the two bills in the first week of August.

Fast to pressure State and Centre

Addressing a press conference here, Kavitha said the protest aims to mount pressure on both the Centre and the Telangana government to act decisively on the long-pending reservation issue.

She stated that she would seek permission to stage a dharna but would proceed with the fast regardless of the response from authorities. “If permission is denied, I will sit on a hunger strike wherever possible,” the MLC asserted.

Questions Congress’ sincerity

Kavitha launched a scathing attack on the Congress government in the State, questioning its commitment to BC welfare. “If the Congress is truly sincere about BC reservations, it should immediately lead an all-party delegation to New Delhi,” she said.

She criticised the government for failing to move the Supreme Court to expedite the Centre’s nod for the bills and for the delay by the governor in clearing an ordinance to implement 42 per cent reservation in the upcoming local body polls.

Kavitha alleges Congress-BJP nexus

The BRS leader alleged a covert understanding between the Congress and the BJP to stall the implementation of the BC quota.

“Despite holding power in the State, the Congress is reluctant to approach the courts. This inaction shows a hidden alliance with the BJP,” she charged.

She also ridiculed the appeal by BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar to lawmakers of all parties to join the Congress-led protest in Delhi. “This is just tokenism, not commitment,” she said.

Kavitha cites Tamil Nadu model

Kavitha drew parallels with Tamil Nadu, where the DMK-led government moved the judiciary when its reservation bills were stuck with the governor.

“The Stalin government didn’t wait. They approached the court and succeeded in implementing over 50 per cent reservation across sections,” she pointed out.

She urged the Telangana government to show similar resolve by legally pursuing the matter to ensure reservation justice for BCs.

‘BJP’s double standards on BCs’

Turning her attention to the BJP, Kavitha accused the party of hypocrisy. “They speak of BC Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers but do nothing for actual BC empowerment,” she said.

She criticised the inaction of Union Ministers from Telangana, alleging they had failed to bring any benefits to the State or the backward communities.

Ordinance after Jagruthi pressure

Kavitha claimed credit for forcing the State government to act.

“The move to bring in an ordinance to amend the Panchayat Raj Act for enhancing BC reservation came only after Telangana Jagruthi raised the issue forcefully,” she said.

Kavitha’s fast should be in Delhi, not here: TPCC leader

TPCC General Secretary Chnagani Dayakar criticised Kavitha’s proposed 72-hour hunger strike over BC reservations, saying such a protest should be held in Delhi, targeting the BJP-led Centre, not in Telangana.

‘Congress took real steps’

Dayakar stated that the Congress government passed the BC reservation resolution soon after taking power, proving its genuine commitment. “In 75 years of independence, no State government has prioritised BC rights like Telangana Congress,” he said.

‘Kavitha never spoke about BCs when in power’

He accused the previous BRS government of failing to implement meaningful BC quotas, offering only 23 per cent in local elections and backing off, citing court orders. “Kavitha never spoke up for BCs during 10 years of power,” he remarked.

‘BJP, BRS dodging the issue’

He alleged both BRS and BJP lack clarity and will on the BC Bills and the caste census. “If Kavitha truly cares, let her protest in Delhi against Modi,” he said.

Dayakar said Congress will continue its legal and political fight for the 42 per cent BC quota, demanding implementation on the lines of Tamil Nadu. He called on BC communities to unite behind the Congress-led movement for social justice.