Hyderabad, May 9: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has made it clear that if his party YSR Congress retains power in May 13 elections, it will continue reservation for Muslims.
“Come what may, four percent Muslim reservations will remain and that is YSR Congress Party’s final word,” said Jagan Mohan Reddy while addressing a public meeting in Kurnool as part of the election campaign.
Jagan Mohan Reddy, whose father and then chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had given reservation to Muslims in jobs and education, hit out at those opposing it.
He clarified that four percent reservation was not given on the basis of religion. The YSRCP chief pointed that Muslim groups like Pathan, Syeds or Mughals are not enjoying this benefit.
“This reservation is for the backwards among Muslims. What everyone has to note is that every community has backwards. It is unacceptable and morally wrong to view minorities through a discriminatory lens. For political interests, to play with their lives is unfortunate. These reservations will continue at all costs,” he said.
Jagan Mohan Reddy also claimed that YSRCP is the only party that is giving political reservation to the minority community. The YSRCP has given seven Assembly tickets to minority community, which is four percent of 175 seats.
He claimed that under YSRCP rule, minorities are not only benefiting from various schemes but they have also been given political representation. He pointed out that in 2019 four Muslim MLAs were elected and one of them Deputy Chief minister for 5 years.
The Chief Minister pointed out that a minority leader was appointed Vice-Chairman of Legislative Council. “Throughout our 59 months of governance, we have diligently ensured that minorities receive their rightful share, starting from the Minority Sub-plan bill. I take pride in championing these efforts for the benefit of minorities,” he said.
“As Chief Minister, my goal is to empower marginalized communities like SCs, STs, BCs and minorities, uphold their dignity, and foster self-reliance among them,” he said.
He also assured the Muslim community that be it reservation, NRC, CAA, or any other issue, his party stand with them supporting their dignity and honour. He demanded Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu to tell people how he would continue the alliance with the BJP which has promised to scrap Muslim reservation.
Jagan Mohan Reddy said that on one hand, Chandrababu Naidu has entered into electoral alliance with the BJP which wants to remove the 4% Muslim reservation while on the other, he is appealing to Muslims to vote for him and promising to protect the quota.
Elections to 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state are scheduled on May 13. Muslims, who constitute about seven percent of the population, appear divided.
In 2019, Muslims overwhelmingly voted for YSRCP, which had stormed to power with a landslide majority. This time a section of Muslims is backing TDP.
Chandrababu Naidu assured the community that he would not allow injustice to be done to them. He defended alliance with the BJP saying the state needs support from the Centre. He claimed that in the past when he had alliance with the BJP, he ensured that injustice was not done to them.
