Muslim Quota Congress idea, not YSR's: MLA

Congress MLA from Telangana Region Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy on Tuesday accused former Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy of trying to lure Muslim voters of the district by reminding them that his father had provided four per cent reservations for the community.

Mr Venkata Ramana Reddy told media persons at the Assembly Media Point that the reservations were part of the Congress manifesto and former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy had only implemented the pre-election promises.

The Congress MLA further stated that, “It is unfortunate that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy was laying claim to the four per cent reservation and trying to lure voters. The decision to implement the quota for Muslims was a Congress decision and how can the former MP lay claim to this?”

Mr Venkata Ramana Reddy further expressed confidence that Congress candidates would win with bumper majority in the by-elections for both the Kadapa Lok Sabha and the Pulivendula Assembly constituencies.

Reacting on the YSR Congress Party leaders lodging a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that Cabinet Ministers were misusing their official position in the elections, the MLA said that the complaint was filed without base. “They had lodged the complaint since they are apprehensive about the outcome of the polls,” he stated.

Mr Venkata Ramana Reddy’s reaction to the question whether party leaders from Telangana would campaign in the by-elections being conducted in Rayalaseema region, he said, “For us, the directions by the High Command are enough. We will definitely campaign if the High Command orders us to do so. But as matters stand, there is no need for us to campaign, since the party candidates will win hands down.”