TDP MLA defends 34% quota for BCs in Andhra local polls

Telugu Desam Party MLA Kimidi Kalavenkata Rao has defended the proposed 34% reservation for Backward Classes in Andhra Pradesh local body elections, calling it a legitimate right. Speaking to reporters in Cheepurupalli in Vizianagaram district on Sunday, the Cheepurupalli legislator said Backward Classes accounted for more than half of the State’s population. He argued that the proposed quota was therefore justified.

Rao accused the YSR Congress Party of creating obstacles by approaching the courts against the State government’s effort to increase representation for BCs in the forthcoming local elections. He said Backward Classes had benefited from reservations since 1987 under policies associated with the TDP. According to Rao, those policies had helped people from modest backgrounds rise to ministerial positions.

The MLA said the TDP viewed the reservation as an empowerment measure and suggested that opposition to it would be judged by voters. He accused the YSRCP of following what he described as an anti-BC policy. Rao predicted that voters would respond to the YSRCP’s position in future elections.

His comments were made during a media conference in Cheepurupalli, where he reiterated support for the government’s proposal. The report did not provide details of the court proceedings initiated by the YSRCP or a response from that party to Rao’s allegations. It also did not specify the timetable for the local body elections or describe the legal basis cited by the State government for the proposed reservation.