Andhra CM Naidu bats for political empowerment of BCs, accuses YSRCP of betrayal

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday mounted a strong political defence of the TDP-led NDA administration’s commitment to the Backward Classes (BCs), asserting that their social, political and economic empowerment had been a consistent priority of the TDP since its founder N.T. Rama Rao introduced reservations for the community in local bodies.

Speaking on the second day of the Monsoon Session of the Assembly, Mr. Naidu said the coalition administration had made ‘social justice’ the central agenda and was committed to expanding political opportunities for BCs from gram panchayats to Parliament.

“Jaiho BC” slogans and cheers reverberated through the House as the Chief Minister detailed the administration’s decision to provide 34% reservation in rural local bodies and 33⅓% in urban local bodies within the constitutional and legal framework.

Mr. Naidu recalled that NTR had introduced 20% reservations for BCs in local bodies in 1984 and that the quota was subsequently enhanced to 34% during his tenure. He said elections were held with 34% BC reservations in 1995, 2001, 2006 and 2013, and the present administration was seeking to restore that level of representation.

Mr. Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of reducing BC reservations from 34% to 24.15% through GOs 176, 559 and 560, claiming that the move had deprived almost 16,800 BC leaders of political opportunities.

He alleged that the previous regime had failed to effectively pursue the matter before the Supreme Court and had targeted BC leaders and TDP supporters through cases and political violence.

Highlighting the TDP’s record, Mr. Naidu cited leaders such as K. Yerrannaidu, K.E. Krishnamurthy, Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Devender Goud and Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu as examples of BC leadership nurtured by the party.

He said political empowerment could not be achieved through welfare schemes alone and cited Kurnool MP Basthipati Nagaraju’s rise from an MPTC member to Parliament as an example of grassroots leadership.

Backbone of rural economy

“BCs are backward because they did not get opportunities,” Mr. Naidu said, noting that the BCs constituted 50.42% of the State’s population and were the backbone of its rural economy.

He stated the government’s BC agenda would focus on education, skills, employment, entrepreneurship and political representation, besides using technology to modernise traditional occupations.

Mr. Naidu also unveiled plans for direct elections for the posts of Mayors and Municipal Chairpersons and the establishment of 28 Zilla Praja Parishads after district reorganisation.

Linking early local body elections to the State’s finances, Mr. Naidu said Andhra Pradesh could receive ₹2,300 crore in rural grants and ₹1,562 crore in urban grants from the 16th Finance Commission. While asserting that the administration would implement them strictly within constitutional and statutory limits.

Later, BC Ministers and MLAs met Mr, he urged the Assembly to backing the reservations unanimously and called upon coalition leaders to identify capable BC candidates for grassroots leadership.

He warned that any legal challenge to the reservations would be viewed seriously. Naidu in the Assembly premises and thanked him for the initiative.