Leader of Opposition in Telangana State Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao of cheating the Muslim community on issue of 12% reservation.
Addressing a press conference at Indira Bhavan here on Monday, Shabbir Ali said that KCR has resorted to blatant lies on the pious occasion of Iftar. “KCR came up with different theories during the past three years. Initially he promised 12% Muslim quota within four months after coming to power. During the first Iftar of TRS Government he promised reservation by next year and he has been repeating this promise every year. This time too, KCR is promising to pass Assembly resolution after Sudhir Committee submits its report on Muslim backwardness. This is nothing but deliberate cheating,” he said.
“Sudhir Commission can only conduct a study and it has no legal sanctity to recommend reservation. The State Government would need to constitute a Backward Classes Commission and a special Assembly session to discuss its recommendation would be meaningful and fruitful for the community. Instead of following the established norms to provide reservation, KCR has been taking the Muslims on the wrong path so as to keep them deprived off reservation benefits,” he said.
Shabbir Ali said even if the Telangana Assembly passes a resolution seeking 12% Muslim reservation, then it would be outrightly rejected by the BJP Government at the Centre. He asked the Chief Minister to explain the grounds on which he was expecting positive response from the Central Government which has failed to fulfill the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act.
For Muslims, he appeared to have adopted the policy of “Khajoor Khilao – Reservation Bhulao”.
The Congress leader also slammed MIM leadership for its silence on the issue. “Asaduddin Owaisi is a barrister and senior Parliamentarian himself. He must clarify whether the report of Sudhir Commission could be used to provide 12% Muslim reservation. If not, then why did he remain silent when KCR spoke on the issue during Iftar party. Why MIM leaders are so afraid of opening up their mouth before KCR?” he asked.
Shabbir Ali, therefore, demanded that the TRS Government issue a White Paper on the steps taken to provide 12% Muslim quota. KCR should also announce a clear road map with a specific deadline to fulfill his promise, he said. (NSS)