HYDERABAD: Veteran Congress leader and former MP V Hanumantha Rao on Wednesday urged Backward Class (BC) leaders and organisations, irrespective of their political affiliations, to implead in the ongoing case in the high court concerning the validity of the Government Order (GO) providing 42 per cent reservations to BCs in urban and rural local bodies. He gave a call with the slogan “Now or Never”, stressing that such an opportunity may not come again.
Addressing a press conference along with Telangana Fisheries Corporation chairman Mettu Sai, he recalled that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had undertaken a 4,500-km Bharat Jodo Yatra before elections, with a focus on the welfare of the weaker sections.
He reminded that the Congress had assured caste census and justice for BCs if voted to power, and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy was implementing the 42 per cent quota for BCs with sincerity.
Hanumantha Rao alleged that a few leaders were obstructing the implementation of reservations for the BCs by filing petitions in the court. He said Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud were giving the necessary push for the programmes meant for BC empowerment, while the BJP and BRS extended support in the Assembly but were staging protests outside. With the Telangana High Court scheduled to hear the petitions on October 8, he appealed to BC organisations to come out in large numbers to safeguard their rights.
He pointed out that even the earlier 27 per cent reservations had not been fully implemented, and cautioned that the 42 per cent quota could slip away if the community did not stand united.
“Unity is the only way forward. In the upcoming elections, BCs will play a decisive role. They must claim this opportunity and ensure implementation of reservations in local bodies, education and employment,” he added.
Asks HYDRAA chief to take up upkeep of Bathukamma Kunta
Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader and former MP V Hanumantha Rao on Wednesday urged HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath to take over the maintenance and protection of the rejuvenated Bathukamma Kunta at Amberpet.
Submitting a memorandum, Hanumantha Rao said HYDRAA’s efforts in clearing encroachments and developing the tank into a scenic waterbody were commendable, but warned that without regular upkeep, the present serene atmosphere could be lost. “If not maintained properly, people may feel the tank was developed and then neglected,” he said.
Recalling that the lake was inaugurated by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy after its transformation, Hanumantha Rao appealed to HYDRAA to continue operating boat rides, which have become a major attraction, with hundreds of visitors every evening.
He also suggested fixing visiting and exercise hours, deploying round-the-clock security, earmarking alternative parking spaces and regulating visitor vehicles to avoid congestion. He stressed that the Bathukamma Kunta has emerged as a popular spot even for people from outside the locality, and its ambience must be safeguarded for future celebrations.