Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced on Friday that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will reserve 34% of seats for candidates from the Backward Classes (BCs) in the forthcoming local body elections. Speaking at the ‘Mee Bhoomi – Mee Hakku’ programme held in Narsingolu village, located within the Kondapi constituency of Prakasam district, Mr. Naidu reinforced the party's commitment to the demographic, describing them as the backbone of the TDP.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister affirmed that his party would uphold the reservation threshold, citing the Supreme Court’s recent verdict on the matter as a framework for the move. He emphasized that the TDP has maintained a consistent focus on the social, economic, and political advancement of the Backward Classes, ensuring their representation remains a priority for the party’s electoral strategy.
During his address, Mr. Naidu levelled sharp criticism at the YSRCP, accusing the rival party of working against the interests of the community. He alleged that the YSRCP had previously reduced the reservation quota for the BCs from 34% to 24%. Furthermore, the Chief Minister claimed that YSRCP leaders have been actively attempting to obstruct the local body election process by approaching the courts, specifically citing the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise as a pretext for these legal challenges.
The announcement underscores the TDP's strategy to solidify its support base among the Backward Classes ahead of the local elections. By framing the reservation allocation as a firm stance against alleged administrative and legal hurdles created by opposition forces, the government aims to position itself as the primary advocate for the political empowerment of the BCs in Andhra Pradesh.
Comments