‘Not just a Telangana issue’: CM Revanth protests Centre’s delay in approving 42% BC Quota Bill

New Delhi: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Congress-led ‘BC Reservations Dharna’ at Jantar Mantar, asserting that the BJP is deliberately delaying the approval of Telangana’s 42 per cent BC reservation bill.

Flanked by his Cabinet, MPs and hundreds of supporters, CM Revanth declared that the protest was not a political drama but a historic movement to restore the rights of the backward classes.

“We have not asked for an inch of Gujarat’s land or a drop of water from Porbandar. All we want is the right to implement reservations for our people in Telangana. Why does that burn Gujarat’s stomach?” questioned the CM, directly addressing Modi.

Telangana sets legislative example, Centre yet to respond

CM Revanth explained that the Telangana Assembly had passed two bills and brought in an Ordinance to ensure 42 per cent reservations for BCs in education, employment and local bodies. These were forwarded to the governor and subsequently to the president.

“Despite four months passing, the president has not given assent. This delay is an injustice to backward communities,” he said.

Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka reiterated that the State had fulfilled all constitutional obligations. “The Centre must act now. This is no longer a State issue; it’s a national call for justice,” he asserted.

Dharna marks National Unity for BC Rights

The dharna drew support from over 100 Members of Parliament and leaders from the INDIA bloc. Revanth emphasised that conducting the caste census and ensuring proportionate quotas were central to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s vision.

“What over 300 CMs couldn’t do in 100 years, we achieved with your support. This historic caste survey will stand as a milestone,” CM Revanth stated, thanking his Cabinet and the people.

Bhatti added that the scientific and transparent caste survey conducted with over one lakh employees is now being looked up to as a model for the nation.

‘Telangana dismantles KCR-era cap on quotas’

CM Revanth also lashed out at former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) for bringing a law in 2018 that capped reservations at 50 per cent. “That law has now become a hurdle. We brought in an Ordinance to undo that injustice,” he said.

Bhatti Vikramarka clarified that this move was essential to ensure that the Centre doesn’t cite the 50 per cent limit to reject the bill.

‘Lacking intent to support BC empowerment’

Revanth Reddy turned the protest into a direct confrontation with the NDA government. He accused Modi of lacking intent to support BC empowerment, and questioned BJP’s double standards, supporting the bill in the Telangana Assembly but stalling it in Delhi.

“If you don’t approve the bill, we will oust you and raise the tricolour at Red Fort with Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister,” he said. The chief minister also took aim at BJP leaders like G Kishan Reddy, Bandi Sanjay and Ramchander Rao, calling them mere extensions of Modi’s anti-BC agenda.

Sharp criticism for BRS absence and Kavitha’s ‘hypocrisy’

Minister Konda Surekha questioned the absence of BRS leaders at the protest.

“They once denied women ministerial berths, now talk about BC rights? Is Kavitha fighting for BCs or her political survival?” she asked. Surekha also slammed MLC K Kavitha’s recent activism as theatrics and mocked her past silence during the BRS regime.

The protest was framed as an extension of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Jitni Aabadi, Utni Hissedari’ vision. Ministers said they were only fulfilling the promise made before the Telangana elections.

Minister Seethakka applauded the Congress high command for trusting a backward-class-inclusive Cabinet and criticised Modi’s PMO for having no BC representation. “Modi says he’s a BC, but his policies are anti-BC,” she remarked.

‘Telangana model will be a political tsunami’

CM Revanth declared that Telangana’s success in implementing BC rights would soon trigger a national wave that would politically uproot the NDA.

“This is not just a dharna; this is the beginning of the end for the Modi regime. The Telangana Model will be a tsunami that sends NDA into the Bay of Bengal,” he said, adding that Congress would not allow BJP to cross 150 seats in the next general election.

He vowed to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister and ensure that BCs get their rightful 42 per cent reservation across the country.

Rahul Gandhi was absent due to bereavement

Rahul Gandhi, who was expected to attend the protest, could not participate due to the demise of former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren. Congress leaders conveyed that his spirit and leadership continue to guide the movement.