CM Revanth Reddy Slams BJP, Urges Southern Unity Over Delimitation
New Delhi: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Union government after the Constitution Amendment Bill failed to get a special majority in the Lok Sabha, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the proposal as a “smokescreen” to eventually dilute reservations and weaken the political voice of the southern states. Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Reddy rejected the opposition’s claim that it was hindering women’s empowerment and instead asserted that the Congress and the INDIA bloc were ready to unconditionally support a “clean” Women’s Reservation Bill.
In a direct challenge to the Prime Minister, Reddy said the Center should immediately introduce a new bill providing for 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, based on the existing 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. Using 2011 Census data, he argued that the quota could be implemented by August 15, 2026, in time for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections, and assured that the Congress would give full support if such a bill was brought forward.
The key flashpoint in his criticism was his reference to limiting women’s reservation. Reddy strongly opposed the idea of increasing the number of seats in a population-based formula and said it was unfair to southern states that have successfully implemented family planning policies. He said such a move would effectively punish the South and Northeast while shifting political weight to more populated areas. Questioning the logic, he asked why states pursuing national policies now face a political disadvantage due to their success.
The Prime Minister also announced plans to form a united front among southern leaders against the proposed containment approach. He said he would initiate talks with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Puducherry’s V. Vaithilingam to collectively oppose what he described as an unfair restructuring of representation.
Escalating his attack, Reddy claimed that the BJP’s broader agenda, reflected in its “Char Sau Paar” slogan, was to gain enough power to amend the Constitution and weaken existing reservation protections. He claimed that the BJP did not have such a legacy and contrasted it with the Congress party’s record of promoting women to senior leadership roles.
He also targeted Telangana BJP leaders, accusing Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and MP K. Laxman of compromising the interests of the state for political gain at the Centre. Hitting out at PM Modi and BJP leader Tejasvi Surya, he reiterated that their past positions reflected an “anti-Telangana” stance.
MPs Dr. attended the press conference. Mallu Ravi, Suresh Shetkar and Balram Naik along with several state government whips and MLAs attended.
