Even as the BJP has been strongly opposing it, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao reiterated his commitment to give 12% reservation to the minorities in the State.
Addressing a Press conference in Karimnagar, KCR said that the Government will soon set up a committee monitor reservation issue. On a question about the appointment of senior counsel Ramakrishna Reddy as the Advocate General, when he had opposed the reservations to the economically backward Muslims before the High Court in the past, KCR said, “Earlier, the BJP had hired his services to oppose the reservations to Muslims. Now we have hired his services to ensure the reservation for Muslims”.
The State Government has already decided to set up a commission under a retired High Court judge to study the condition of minorities and submit a report before the decision of reservation was implemented.
The BJP on the other hand said it will continue to oppose reservations to Muslims. Addressing a meeting in Sangareddy the State BJP president G Kishan Reddy said that the party is opposed to reservation on religious grounds. “Extending reservations is not a welfare measure but it is a mere appeasement of Muslims,” he said.
The economically backward sections of Muslims already have 4% reservations in education and Government jobs. The decision implemented by the YS Rajasekhar Reddy Government was facing a legal challenge in the Supreme Court where a constitutional bench was dealing with it. Political observers and legal experts say that even 12% reservation will also face a legal test in the High Court and Supreme Court. But TRS leaders say that if Tamil Nadu can give more reservations than the limit of 50% set by the Supreme Court, why not Telagnana.