Hyderabad: Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister K. Tarakarama Rao has strongly condemned the signature campaign launched by the Congress party over 12% Muslim reservation.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan here on Tuesday, KTR described the campaign as “new drama” of TPCC President N. Uttam Kumar Reddy. He said that the Congress party has raised Muslim reservation issue as it had no other issues left to go among public in view of party’s dismal performance in recently held elections. He accused Uttam Kumar Reddy of inciting Muslim community on the issue.
KTR said that the TRS Government was firm on giving 12% Muslim quota. He said that State Cabinet has given its nod to 12% Muslim quota in its meeting held on July 14, 2014. As part of this decision, Sudhir Commission was constituted to study the socio-economic and educational status of Muslims in Telangana State. Based on its report, he said that the government would constitute a BC Commission to provide reservation to Muslims in jobs and education.
The minister alleged that the Congress party had used Muslims as a vote bank for the last 60 years. He also accused previous Congress government of not implementing the recommendations of Sachar Committee.
He said that the TRS Government has a clear road map to fulfill its election promise. He said that the Centre would be convinced on 12% Muslim quota and if required, the TRS would not hesitate to seek help from Congress president Sonia Gandhi and its MPs.
KTR said that the TRS Government does not want to repeat the mistake committed by previous Congress Government which was forced to reduce quota from 5% to 4%. He advised Congress leaders to drop signature campaign on 12% Muslim quota and instead launch an apology campaign for reducing the quota. (INN)