KCR calls for ST, Muslim reservation

TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao Thursday said he would take efforts for the formation of a non-Congress, non-BJP government at the Centre to realise an increase in reservations to Muslims and STs in Telangana. "I tell one thing to our tribal children, Muslim children.

You know that if I take up anything, I will be stubborn. When I started for Telangana, nobody had confidence. But, Telangana came," he pointed out. "Today, STs reservation, Muslims reservation also. I will achieve your reservation by getting a non-BJP, non-Congress government installed in Delhi next term by winning all MP seats," Rao said at party campaign rallies.

He criticised the NDA government for not accepting the proposal through the state government and Assembly sent resolutions seeking an increase in reservations. "Narendra Modi says I will not increase.

Is India your 'jagir' (fiefdom)," he said. Noting that the population of STs and Muslims increased (in the overall population) in Telangana following bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh, he said the reservation is being sought in view of prevailing poverty.

Rao, the Caretaker Chief Minister, has been extensively campaigning for the December seven Assembly polls crisscrossing the state. KCR, as Rao is popularly known, has been highlighting the various welfare schemes of his government, including free power to farm sector, investment support and insurance schemes for the benefit of farmers and the hike in social security pensions.

The TRS is going it alone in the elections. Earlier this year, Rao had also met TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Deve Gowda, among others, to prop up a non-Congress, non-BJP front.

(With inputs from agencies.)