“The Congress has always worked for the welfare of all communities in the country. While in power, it introduced and implemented several schemes which brought a real change in the society”.
In a statement here on Monday, senior Congress leader and former minister Shabbir Ali stated that Muslim reservation was one of the most revolutionary policies implemented by the Congress Government in Andhra Pradesh in 2004. While it immediately benefited thousands of Muslim students in getting admissions in Medicine, Engineering and other professional courses, hundreds of Muslim youths got four per cent of government jobs in different recruitment drives.
Categorised as BC (E), the economically and socially poor Muslims were extended the same benefits being given to Backward Classes. Thus, the benefit of political reservation being given to BCs in municipal and other local bodies (rural and urban) was also extended to Muslims, who come under BC (E) category. It was implemented for the first time in the last GHMC elections held in 2009, Ali stated, adding that it was a great beginning and the first step towards political empowerment of the Muslim community.
He further stated that recently held elections to the municipal corporations, municipalities, ZPTCs and MPTCs ensured election of over 900 Muslims in both Telangana and residuary Andhra Pradesh to different posts due to their status as BC (E). So far, due to BC (E) reservations, three Muslims were able to become Mayors, five Municipal Chairmen, 18 Vice-Chairmen, 37 Corporators, 327 Councillors, 15 ZPTCs, 236 MPTCs and 266 Sarpanches. The Muslim reservation played a major role in increasing the community’s representative in all the municipal bodies. The Congress party will continue to work for the uplift and growth of all communities, including the Muslim minorities in the country. (NSS)
