HYDERABAD: AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge Friday stressed that upcoming local body elections in the state must be conducted only after ensuring 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs), as promised by the party. He underscored the need to win both rural and urban local body polls, along with the Jubilee Hills assembly bypoll, at any cost.Kharge and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, met with chief minister A Revanth Reddy, deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, and AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan ahead of the political affairs committee (PAC) meeting. The discussions focused on several key issues, including SC categorisation, caste census, BC quota, upcoming local body elections, and appointments to posts in state corporations and committees.Kharge directed TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud to complete the process of appointing corporation chairpersons and directors by the end of Aug, ensuring representation for hard-working leaders from all communities.Congress’ image improved: KhargeKharge told party leaders to stay engaged with their constituencies, reminding them that the Congress came to power in Telangana after a decade, and must now strive to retain power for the next 15 years.At the PAC meeting, Revanth reportedly expressed concern over the ‘non-performance’ of some in-charge ministers and delays in finalising nominated posts. Kharge acknowledged the concerns but advised the CM to exercise restraint, reminding him that he still has a long political journey ahead.Despite the internal issues, Kharge lauded the Revanth govt’s progress in fulfilling promises and described it as a ‘model governance’ that the party could proudly showcase nationwide. “The Congress is proving it is the only party that truly delivers on its promises,” he said. Later, Backward Classes leaders and associations met Kharge to demand greater cabinet representation and reiterated the need for holding panchayat polls with 42% BC quota.
