Decades of Struggle Yield Results: BC Candidates Register Significant Gains in Municipal Polls
Sangareddy incident involving police officer draws condemnation from BC organisations
Representatives of various Backward Classes (BC) organisations on Sunday asserted that the recent electoral gains of BC candidates in municipal elections are the outcome of sustained struggles for social justice, equality, reservations and political empowerment.
An all-party meeting of BC and caste associations was convened under the aegis of the National BC Welfare Association. The meeting was presided over by Gujja Sathyam. Among those present were Dundra Kumaraswamy, National President of the National BC Dal and Chairman of the BC Reservations Achievement Coordination JAC; Gujja Sathyam, National Vice-President of the National BC Welfare Association; Ailaiah Goud, State BC Association president; and Raju, an OU JAC leader.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the victories secured by BC candidates in recent local body elections reflected decades of mobilisation for social justice and equitable representation. “Whether in the recent sarpanch elections or the present municipal polls, the political consciousness among BC communities has clearly manifested itself,” he observed.
He said the slogan “BC votes for BC candidates” was resonating from the grassroots to the national capital, indicating a growing assertion of political self-respect among backward communities. Stating that BCs had historically faced social and political marginalisation, he cautioned that any affront to their dignity would be met with a democratic and collective response.
The leaders also condemned an alleged incident in Sangareddy in which a Circle Inspector, Shivakumar Yadav, who was on election duty, was reportedly subjected to verbal abuse by former MLA T. Jagga Reddy in public view. The organisations described the episode as “unfortunate” and said it had caused anguish among members of the BC community.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sathyam criticised political parties for what he termed as a lack of sincerity on the BC reservation legislation. However, he described the performance of BC candidates in the municipal polls as “historic,” noting that BC representatives had secured a substantial share of victories. He claimed that after registering around 45% victories in general seats in earlier gram panchayat elections, BC candidates had now improved their tally to approximately 57% in the municipal elections.
Despite political parties adopting similar positions, BC voters had demonstrated unity in supporting candidates from their own communities, he said, calling it a significant development in the assertion of BC political identity.
The meeting concluded with a call for continued unity among backward classes, with leaders maintaining that BC solidarity would shape the future course of politics in the State.