The State Backward Classes Federation Welfare Association on Sunday demanded adequate representation to the Backward Classes (BCs) in the general elections in 2019. It opposed reservation to other communities in the BC quota.
Addressing a press conference here, association working president N. V. Rao, Vijayawada deputy Mayor Gogula Ramana and others said the political parties were treating the BCs as mere vote banks.
There was no adequate representation of the BCs, who formed 50% of population, in politics.
The BCs were not being considered for either MLC or nominated posts, or given tickets to contest direct election. The political parties should give a chance to the BC community wherever it had a major vote share.
The BCs might not be able to launch a political outfit right now and contest on their own. But they would not support any political party which would not give prominence to them. The BCs should get seats commensurate with their population.
Dig at TDP
AP Nayee Brahmin Association State president S. Yanadaiah said, “Even the TDP has ignored the BCs. Except three families — Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, KE Krishnamurthia and K. Atchanaidu — none got their due share in the political arena. There are more than 130 castes in the BCs. Why doesn’t the TDP see beyond these three families?”
Referring to reservations, the association leaders said they did not have any objection to electoral promises to other castes. The TDP promised reservations to the Kapus but did not clear the apprehensions of the BCs. Why was the government not coming out with a white paper how the existing castes would not be affected with the Kapu quota, they asked. The BCs would not keep quiet if any political party meddled with the BC quota.
Chandragiri Radhakumari, Guduri Venkateswara Rao, Y. Koteswara Rao and others spoke.
