Hyderabad: Meenakshi Natarajan, AICC in-charge of Telangana, said that the implementation of 42% reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) marks a major victory for the Telangana Congress.Bid to pressure Centre The announcement came during the Janahitha padayatra, which began from Parigi constituency and saw an enthusiastic turnout. Addressing the gathering, Natarajan urged people to raise their voices for their rights and extended a call to join the Congress protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Aug 6, aimed at pressuring Centre on BC reservations.Cites Bharat Jodo Yatra She emphasised the Congress party’s firm commitment to social justice and equal opportunities for the BC communities.Natarajan credited the relentless advocacy by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi for the progress on BC reservations and underscored the importance of public unity to strengthen the movement. She also highlighted Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, describing it as a sincere effort to connect with people and understand their everyday struggles.“Thanks to voter support, the Congress returned to power in Telangana,” Natarajan said, pointing to welfare initiatives such as free bus travel for women and subsidised rice as examples of the party delivering on its promises. She added that the Congress govt was upholding the ideals of social reformers Jyotirao Phule and BR Ambedkar. Reaffirming the party’s stand, she said: “Rahul Gandhi clearly said that reservations must be proportionate to population, and the Congress is fully committed to that principle. We are mobilising nationwide support for the Delhi protest — we need everyone to join.”‘Fulfilled in 18 months’Confident in the Congress govt’s performance, Natarajan said that many promises were fulfilled within just 18 months of coming to power. She urged people to ensure a strong Congress victory in the upcoming local body elections. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud and IT minister D Sridhar Babu took part in the padayatra.
