Various Handicapped Associations here on Sunday demanded that all political parties should earmark seats to the disabled persons from local body to Assembly elections in proportion to their population.
AP Handicapped Network president M Srinivasulu said that there were 70 lakh handicapped in the country. The handicapped constituted 10 per cent in the population and had 20 to 25 per cent vote bank. But the successive governments were neglecting their welfare. He also criticized TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu for saying that he would do his best for the disabled after returning to power. He pointed out that Naidu has done little for the disabled during his nine-year regime.
Handicapped Joint Action Committee president Ganta Satyanarayana said that as per 3% quota, the disabled should get nine seats in the Legislative Assembly. All the political parties should announce that they would allocate nine seats to the Disabled in the next Assembly election. The same quota should be given to the disabled in the local body elections also.
Andhra Pradesh Handicapped Federation president M Narsimha, Vikalangula Maha Sangatan president N Ramesh, Blind Welfare Association president Ch Srisailam and others were also present. (NSS)