TDP Working Towards Over 34% Reservation for BCs, Says Galla Madhavi

Guntur West MLA Galla Madhavi has said the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is working towards providing more than 34% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections. She called on BC communities to unite in the upcoming polls, utilise the political opportunities available to them and strengthen their representation in local governance.

Madhavi made the remarks at a meeting held on Sunday at a function hall near the water tanks on AT Agraharam Main Road in Guntur. Chairing the meeting, she outlined the TDP’s efforts to improve political representation for BCs and urged party workers to explain the differences between the TDP and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on the reservation issue.

Recalling the contribution of former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao, Madhavi said the TDP had played a significant role in creating political opportunities for disadvantaged communities. She noted that reservations, initially introduced at 20%, had increased over the years. The party’s objective, she said, was to help BCs emerge as political leaders rather than treating them merely as a vote bank.

She added that the coalition government was pursuing the goal of providing more than 34% reservation for BCs. However, she acknowledged that legal constraints, including the Supreme Court’s 50% reservation ceiling, needed careful consideration. She suggested studying reservation policies in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to understand possible approaches. Census findings and data on social backwardness would also be important in determining the way forward.

Questioning the YSRCP’s position, Madhavi demanded clarity on whether it supported the proposed reservation for BCs. She also urged coalition leaders and cadres to set aside internal differences and work together.

Stressing that political opportunities could not be given to everyone simultaneously, she said supporting candidates who receive an opportunity was equally important to building leadership.

Madhavi said the coalition government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, was working for the welfare of weaker sections. She urged BC communities to remain united and work towards achieving better political representation in the forthcoming local body elections. She also called on voters in Guntur West to reject the YSRCP politically.