BC Census Option: Telangana Minister Challenges Amit Shah Amid 'Save Democracy' March
Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar seeks a meeting with Amit Shah to demand a specific census option for Backwards Classes and address vote theft.
As Hyderabad prepares for a high-profile visit from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the political atmosphere in Telangana has reached a boiling point. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gearing up for a massive show of strength, Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has turned the spotlight toward critical socio-political demands, specifically calling for a census option for Backwards Classes.
Demand for BC Representation in National Census
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has issued a direct challenge to the central leadership, urging that representatives from the Backwards Classes (BC) and state leaders secure a meeting with the Home Minister during his visit to the city. The primary point of contention is the ongoing national census.
Prabhakar has demanded that the central government include a specific, dedicated option for the Backwards Classes within the census framework to ensure accurate representation and data for this community.
Allegations of 'Vote Theft' and Electoral Manipulation
Beyond the census, the Telangana Minister has raised serious alarms regarding the integrity of the electoral rolls. He has called upon Amit Shah to address what he describes as "vote theft," alleging a systemic effort to purge voters from the lists.
Specifically, Prabhakar pointed toward the distribution of Form 6 and Form 7 documents. He alleged that these processes were being facilitated by BJP leaders and the RSS office to remove legitimate voters from the electoral rolls, demanding immediate central accountability for these deletions.
The BJP's 'Loktantra Bachao' Offensive
These demands come at a time when the BJP is saturating Hyderabad with welcome posters for its 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) march. The foot march is scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM along Tank Bund, starting from the Swami Vivekananda statue and concluding at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue, spanning from Nizam College to MJ Market in Nampally.
The visit is designed to energize the state BJP cadre and intensify the party's political offensive against the ruling Congress government in Telangana.
BJP Hits Back at Congress
The BJP has not remained silent in the face of the state government's criticisms. BJP leader Guduru Narayana Reddy took a sharp swipe at the Congress party, accusing them of bypassing democratic institutions in favor of staged street protests.
Reddy asserted that constitutional forums for debate exist at every level, "from panchayat to Parliament." He claimed that the 'Save Democracy' march is intended to "enlighten" the Congress party on parliamentary norms, alleging that the Congress has been bringing out "thousands of paid, gullible people" instead of engaging in sincere constitutional deliberations.
"Our Union Home Minister is coming to Hyderabad to participate in the 'Save Democracy' march organised by the BJP. This particular 'Save Democracy, Loktantra Bachao' march is being organised to enlighten the Congress party," said Guduru Narayana Reddy.