Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy will lead a high-level delegation to Delhi on Thursday to build consensus for the introduction and passage of the 42% reservation bill for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections. Accompanied by deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka and senior ministers, Revanth aims to rally support across party lines to push for the bill’s inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution during the ongoing Parliament session.The delegation plans to meet floor leaders, MPs, and presidents of all political parties, including the BJP and BRS, to present the rationale behind the quota move and the constitutional backing for it. Though initial plans included meetings with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, Bhatti clarified that their focus will be on engaging MPs from both Houses, regardless of party affiliation.“We will explain the scientific and transparent manner in which the caste survey was conducted, highlight key findings of the Justice Sudarshan Reddy Committee, and seek their support for social justice,” Bhatti said at a press conference at the secretariat.When asked about possible support from the BJP and BRS, Bhatti expressed confidence. “Both parties supported the quota bill in the state legislative assembly. We believe they will extend the same support in Parliament,” he said, while not ruling out a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Sources in the CM’s office indicated the delegation may stay in Delhi for two to three days to build momentum around the issue. The move underscores the Congress govt’s urgency in securing national backing for the legislation.On the ordinance sent to the governor amending the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, to remove the 50% reservation cap, Bhatti said approval is awaited. “Even if the quota is included in the Ninth Schedule, amending state law is essential,” he stressedGiving credit to Rahul Gandhi for initiating the caste survey, Bhatti said it forced even PM Modi to announce a nationwide caste census. He criticised BJP state president N Ramchander Rao for opposing the Ninth Schedule route, accusing him of consistently undermining BC and Dalit causes.Bhatti further accused the BRS of misleading people on the BC quota issue, and said the Justice Sudarshan Reddy Committee report will be placed before the cabinet and the assembly before being made public.
