PM Modi does not belong to backward classes by birth: Revanth Reddy
Hyderabad, Feb 14 (PTI): Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not belong to the backward classes by birth and that he is "anti-BC by mentality".
Reddy also said the ruling Congress would announce a "battle against Modi if necessary" as the Centre has not sanctioned permissions for projects like expansion of Hyderabad metro rail.
Referring to the comments of some that Revanth Reddy would be the last Reddy Chief Minister of Telangana, he said he would not mind being the "last".
Reddy, who spoke during a PowerPoint presentation on the caste survey conducted by the Congress government in the state and a Youth Congress meeting held at Telangana Congress headquarters here, claimed that Modi's caste was a "forward caste" before he became Gujarat chief minister.
"Modi ji says he is BC. Actually, Modi ji is not BC. (He is) legally converted BC," he said.
Modi made his community a part of the backward classes by making legislation after he became CM, Reddy alleged.
"Though his (Modi) certificates may say he is BC, but his mentality is anti-BC," he said.
If Modi belongs to backward classes, why was the general census not conducted in 2021 and why the population of BCs was not determined, he said.
Referring to allegations that the data of caste survey was faulty, he said the Centre should take up caste census as part of general census.
He alleged that the BRS and BJP are trying to find fault with the data of caste survey for selfish purposes.
The BJP is trying to find fault with the data as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has already attacked the NDA government in parliament for not conducting caste census all over the country, would mount further pressure, he said.
The BRS, on the other hand, is trying to pick holes in the caste survey as it fears that backward classes would question its president K Chandrasekhar Rao over his family members having several posts during the BRS regime, he said.
It would be backward classes who suffer if the BC associations find fault with the data of the caste survey, he claimed.
The BCs can now seek hike in reservations, even in the Supreme Court, by presenting the data of caste survey, Reddy said.
There are no errors in the caste survey as the data is submitted by the concerned citizens, he said.
The chief minister said he took up the responsibility of caste survey as a disciplined activist to uphold the promise of his leader (Rahul Gandhi).
He said, without elaborating, that he is ready for any "sacrifice" having conducted the caste survey (which shows BCs to be the largest chunk of total population). Had he wanted to present wrong data, he asked why he would show his community to be less than five per cent, while that of BCs to be more than 50 per cent.
Talking about the state government's decision to accept data from those who were left out of the caste survey conducted during November-December last year, he said a "social boycott from Telangana society" should be imposed on BRS president KCR and his family members if they don't participate in the survey.
Attacking the NDA government at the Centre for not sanctioning funds and approvals to development projects, he said the Centre has sanctioned funds to states like Bihar and Gujarat.
"If we pay a tax of one rupee to the Centre, we get 42 paisa. If one rupee is paid, Bihar takes seven rupees, Uttar Pradesh gets three rupees. What sin has Telangana made? We are getting 42 paisa if one rupee is paid. Modi ji, you are taking 58 paisa of our fund," he said.
Stating that his government is observing restraint, he said an action plan would be taken up soon to fight against the Centre to secure its rights.
In an apparent reference to the BJP finding fault with the inclusion of Muslims in the BCs, he said Muslims are being given four per cent reservation in the state under BC category which was also endorsed by the Supreme Court.
Reddy's attack on the BRS and BJP came as the regional party had alleged that the Congress government is backstabbing the BCs with the caste survey showing a decline in the population of backward classes.
While the population of BCs was 51 per cent as per an Intensive Household Survey conducted during the BRS regime, the caste survey shows it to be 46 per cent excluding backward Muslims, BRS leader K T Rama Rao had said.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
