KTR Slams Congress Over Reduced BC Reservations, Questions Caste Census Expenditure

Hyderabad: BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao strongly criticised the Congress government for allegedly reducing reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in the upcoming gram panchayat elections. According to Rama Rao, the revised reservation pattern has dropped to just 17 percent—far below the 42 percent promised by the Congress during the elections, and even less than the earlier 24 percent quota.

Rama Rao also raised concerns over the reported expenditure of ₹160 crore on conducting the caste census, questioning its purpose if the reservation percentage ultimately fell instead of increasing. Taking to social media platform X, he accused the Congress of projecting Telangana’s caste census as a model for other states while failing to honour its commitments to the BC community.

“You spoke eloquently about Telangana caste census and called it a role model for other states. The Congress government spent ₹160 crore with a promise of 42% reservation for the BC community, but has delivered only 17%—reduced from 24%—in the newly announced panchayat elections,” he wrote. He further criticised the government, asking whether there was any justification for “wasting huge public money.”

Rama Rao also highlighted district-wise discrepancies in the reservation distribution, noting that several districts fall far below the earlier quota levels. He pointed out that Bhadradri Kothagudem district has zero reservations for BCs among its 471 gram panchayats, while several other districts reflect percentages below 10 percent—far from the promised 42 percent.

The issue has triggered strong political debate, with the BRS accusing the Congress of betraying BC communities, while the state government is expected to issue a clarification on the revised pattern.