The bandh called by Backward Class organisations demanding 42 percent reservation for BCs in local body polls received widespread support across Telangana on Saturday. While several commercial establishments were shut across the state, public transport too was hit, with Road Transport Corporation buses refusing to ply.
The bandh was supported by political parties including the ruling Congress, opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and Bharatiya Janata Party. Speaking at a protest rally, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B Mahesh Kumar Goud said: “We are demanding the Centre to accept 42 percent reservations for BCs. We are not going to stop our agitation till we achieve this.” BRS working president K T Rama Rao said: “The Congress and the BJP are shifting blame onto each other and not doing justice by the BCs”.
The BJP’s state unit too protested Saturday, accusing the Congress of not fulfilling its Kamareddy declaration on providing reservation for BCs.
The Supreme Court had earlier refused to interfere in the stay on 42 percent reservation for BCs issued by the High Court.
In the state, RTC services were suspended and buses remained in depots, with major trade unions supporting the bandh call. Shops, business establishments, and educational institutions remained closed. Commuters travelling between districts for Diwali were affected by the lack of public transport and were stranded at bus stands in major cities, including Hyderabad.
Leaders of the Congress, BJP, BRS, Telangana Jagruthi, and the BC Joint Action Committee were part of rallies and sit-ins held in Hyderabad, Warangal, Khammam, and other district headquarters. Telangana ministers and BC leaders, including Ponnam Prabhakar, Vakkati Sreenivas, Seethakka, and others, joined protest demonstrations. Leaders of the BRS, including Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Gangula Kamalakar, and Srinivas Goud, too, were seen participating in protests.
The state government, which had earlier passed the BC Reservation Bill in the Assembly, has maintained that the Bill has been pending with the Governor and the President since March 30. Ministers pointed out that the delay in the Centre’s approval has stalled its implementation, hit the flow of Central funds, and affected local body elections.
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BC organisations led by BJP leader R Krishnaiah demanded that the Union Government act without delay, approve the Bill, and include it under the Ninth Schedule to ensure constitutional protection.