Quota issue, caste census will haunt the BJP: Revanth

Telangana CM says Cong. will win 14 of the 17 seats in the State; he says Modi is refusing a prominent role for South Indians in political representation and adds that Adani and Ambani are the double-engine government that the BJP talks about

2024-05-10 - R. Ravikanth Reddy

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has said the BJP’s wish to “scrap reservation”, its North-South division, favouritism towards Gujarat, and denial of caste census are serious issues that will haunt the party in the election.

In an interview with The Hindu, Mr. Reddy said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi could challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Chief Minister said Ambani and Adani were welcome to Telangana to invest and generate jobs but not to take over the State’s assets.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has stirred a hornets’ nest by claiming that the BJP will abolish reservation, forcing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat to react. He believes it is not a political narrative for the election but a real issue given the thought process of the RSS. He also speaks about the north-south divide and Centre-State relations. Excerpts:

You have created a new narrative on reservation forcing Prime Minister Modi to react. Is it just a political issue? Do you think it is possible in the country to abolish reservation?

I wish to speak on the existing reality and how the RSS wants to change the Indian Constitution and push its agenda through its political front, the Bharatiya Janata Party. With the BJP’s support, it has pushed its agenda — Article 370, Citizenship Amendment Act, Triple Talaq, Ayodhya Ram temple. Their next target is changing the Indian Constitution and abolishing reservation. There is a link between this agenda and the BJP not taking up the 2021 Census, which was being done from the British era every 10 years.

Mr. Modi knows that people are demanding census and also the caste census. Why isn’t the BJP asking for a majority but insisting on 400 seats? Because they can amend the Constitution only with a two-thirds majority.

Do you think Rahul Gandhi has the persona to take on Mr. Modi and present an alternative before the country?

In Telangana, before the Assembly election, everyone said KCR [BRS chief K. Chandrashekhar Rao] is the biggest personality. So how come Revanth Reddy defeated KCR? When Indira Gandhi was defeated by some not-so-famous politicians of that era, then what is the big deal about defeating Narendra Modi? In a democracy, the public will have the nal say.

How do you see the north-south divide narrative which politicians like you are referring to quite often?

Mere statements will not divide the country but actions will divide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is refusing a prominent role for South Indians in its political representation and there is a feeling that South is being denied its nancial share. Telugu is the second largest spoken language in India after Hindi.

But there is just one Cabinet berth for 42 MPs from two Telugu States while Gujarat with just 26 MPs gets seven Cabinet berths. Uttar Pradesh has 12 Cabinet Ministers in the Centre. All the prime posts like Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister, Urban Development Minister, Rural Development Minister, Commerce Minister have gone to North Indians.

These issues will come up for discussion. There is a feeling of discrimination on the next delimitation. The Government of India should explain the terms of reference.

How do you react to the two names — Ambani and Adani — which are often spoken about?

With regard to Adani and Ambani, there is a feeling that they are the doubleengine sarkaar that the BJP talks about.

People also feel Adani and Pradhani are the ‘twinengine’ government at the national level.

You have been critical of the Centre. Since you said your focus will be the State, how do you see Centre-State relations? How do you have a relationship if you are in Opposition? Telangana has been having a lot of borrowing issues with the Centre and you are going to face it?

I’m in the war zone as of now. I have to act accordingly. When I go back to my Chief Minister’s responsibility fully after the poll code, I will perform as a Chief Minister. I will maintain my good relations with the Prime Minister. India is a Union of States. The Prime Minister is the elder brother of all the Chief Ministers. So, he has to play that role. I have requested the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to restructure my loan system.

Has there been any strategic planning for these elections?

We have done our work and I am sure Congress will win 14 seats in Telangana out of 17 seats. We have made commitments and we have to deliver.

(For the full interview, visit bit.ly/revanthinterview)

Quota issue, caste census will haunt the BJP: Revanth

Telangana CM says Cong. will win 14 of the 17 seats in the State; he says Modi is refusing a prominent role for South Indians in political representation and adds that Adani and Ambani are the double-engine government that the BJP talks about

You have created a new narrative on reservation forcing Prime Minister Modi to react. Is it just a political issue? Do you think it is possible in the country to abolish reservation?

Do you think Rahul Gandhi has the persona to take on Mr. Modi and present an alternative before the country?

How do you see the north-south divide narrative which politicians like you are referring to quite often?

How do you react to the two names — Ambani and Adani — which are often spoken about?

You have been critical of the Centre. Since you said your focus will be the State, how do you see Centre-State relations? How do you have a relationship if you are in Opposition? Telangana has been having a lot of borrowing issues with the Centre and you are going to face it?

Has there been any strategic planning for these elections?

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Quota issue, caste census will haunt the BJP: Revanth

Telangana CM says Cong. will win 14 of the 17 seats in the State; he says Modi is refusing a prominent role for South Indians in political representa­tion and adds that Adani and Ambani are the double-engine government that the BJP talks about

You have created a new narrative on reservatio­n forcing Prime Minister Modi to react. Is it just a political issue? Do you think it is possible in the country to abolish reservatio­n?

Do you think Rahul Gandhi has the persona to take on Mr. Modi and present an alternativ­e before the country?

How do you see the north-south divide narrative which politician­s like you are referring to quite often?

How do you react to the two names — Ambani and Adani — which are often spoken about?

You have been critical of the Centre. Since you said your focus will be the State, how do you see Centre-State relations? How do you have a relationsh­ip if you are in Opposition? Telangana has been having a lot of borrowing issues with the Centre and you are going to face it?

Has there been any strategic planning for these elections?

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India

Telangana CM says Cong. will win 14 of the 17 seats in the State; he says Modi is refusing a prominent role for South Indians in political representation and adds that Adani and Ambani are the double-engine government that the BJP talks about

You have created a new narrative on reservation forcing Prime Minister Modi to react. Is it just a political issue? Do you think it is possible in the country to abolish reservation?

Do you think Rahul Gandhi has the persona to take on Mr. Modi and present an alternative before the country?

How do you see the north-south divide narrative which politicians like you are referring to quite often?

You have been critical of the Centre. Since you said your focus will be the State, how do you see Centre-State relations? How do you have a relationship if you are in Opposition? Telangana has been having a lot of borrowing issues with the Centre and you are going to face it?