"We are waiting to see what the BJP's stance will be...": Top Telangana Congress leaders gather in Delhi's Jantar Mantar over BC reservations

New Delhi [India], August 6 (ANI): Top leaders of the ruling Congress in Telangana, including the State ministers, gathered in Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Wednesday to press the Centre to approve the Bill passed by the State Assembly that seek to provide 42 per cent reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections as well as in the education and employment sectors.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy joined the protest whil Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is also expected to jon in the protest.
"Telangana Government has passed the bill, we have sent it to the Governor, and from there it has to come to Rashtrapati Bhavan. We are requesting the Centre and the President to clear the Bill so that a 42 per cent reservation can be made in the forthcoming local body election," Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, told ANI.
Telangana Minister G Vivekanand emphasised the importance of the bill in furthering the socail justice cause.
"This is our just demand. As Rahul Gandhi has stated, social justice is essential for this country. In line with this principle, we have included it in our manifesto and passed it in the Assembly. Now, we urge the Central government to grant an exemption and ensure that this 42% reservation receives the President's approval," Vivekanand told ANI.

"We are demanding 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BC). Now, we are waiting to see what the BJP's stance will be. Let them provide clarity--will they support this? If the Bill is presented in Parliament, will they pass it or not?" Telangana Congress MLA Vijayashanti asked while talking to ANI at the protest venue.
Earlier on Monday, Congress MP Mallu Ravi moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha, seeking discussion on the 42 per cent BC reservation in local bodies in Telangana.
The Telangana OBC Reservation Bill aims to increase the quota for OBCs in local body elections to 42%, reflecting the demographic strength and longstanding demand of backwards communities in the state.
Meanwhile, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha on Monday launched a 72-hour hunger strike at Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad, demanding urgent clearance of the Telangana OBC Reservation Bill that gives 42% quota for Backwards Classes (BC) in government jobs, educational institutions, and local body elections. (ANI)