Mallikarjun Kharge pushes for 42% BC quota before Telangana local body polls; CM Revanth Reddy vows Congress sweep; targets 15 LS, 100 assembly seats

HYDERABAD: AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge Friday stressed that upcoming local body elections in the state must be conducted only after ensuring 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs), as promised by the party.

He underscored the need to win both rural and urban local body polls, along with the Jubilee Hills assembly bypoll, at any cost.Kharge and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, met with chief minister A Revanth Reddy, deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, and AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan ahead of the political affairs committee (PAC) meeting. The discussions focused on several key issues, including SC categorisation, caste census, BC quota, upcoming local body elections, and appointments to posts in state corporations and committees.Kharge directed TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud to complete the process of appointing corporation chairpersons and directors by the end of Aug, ensuring representation for hard-working leaders from all communities.

Revanth vows to fill upall corporation posts Four years before the Lok Sabha elections, I am assuring of party's victory in 15 LS and 100 assembly seats. You can question me if we fail to win even one seat less than the figures I have quoted,"Revanth said.

He told the grassroots of the party that it is now their turn to contest elections. "I will ensure your win in sarpanch, ward member, MPTC, ZPTC, and MPP polls. You don't need to go to Delhi or ask us for tickets. We will come to the doorsteps of the hard-working leaders and give tickets. Apprise the voters of the Congress govt's schemes and major achievements such as Rs 1 lakh crore spent on farmers' welfare alone in 18 months.

Talk about the 60,000 govt job recruitments. Counter the opposition parties vicious campaign aggressively on social media."Delimitation exerciseAllaying fears of some leaders of not getting party ticket to contest next assembly or LS polls since some MLAs of other parties have joined the Congress, Revanth said, "delimitation will increase the number of assembly seats in Telangana from 119 to, maybe, 153. Likewise, LS seats will also increase.

Probably, there could be 80 more seats available including that of assembly, Lok Sabha, and legislative council. Then 50% of the seats could be reserved for women.

""All of you will get recognition for your hard work and get a chance to contest the elections, become MLA, MP, and ministers. There could be five to six women ministers in the cabinet then," Revanth said. The chief minister also promised to fill up all posts of various corporations, temple, market, and other committees.

AICC minder of Telangana party affairs, Meenakshi Natarajan, is also looking into this issue.Highlighting the 60,000 recruitments during the first year of the Congress govt in the state, Revanth threw a challenge at PM Narendra Modi, Union minister G Kishan Reddy, former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, and BRS working president KT Rama Rao for a discussion either in Parliament or the assembly.Revanth said some opposition functionaries protested when canteens were named after Indiramma. "Unless we strip and beat them, they won't understand her greatness."