Rama Krishna Sangem
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that BJP would make a person from Backward Classes (BCs) as Chief Minister if it gets full majority in the ongoing assembly elections in Telangana. He addressed a rally, named as BC Garjana, at LB Stadium in Hyderabad on November 7, Tuesday evening. Besides all top BJP leaders of Telangana, Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan too was present on the dais.
Modi’s promise of a BC CM comes on the heels of Union Home Minister Amit Shah‘s declaration on October 27 at a meeting at Suryapet to this effect. BJP national leadership has decided to play the OBC card in Telangana long ago – around a few months back, to make inroads into the state’s largest demographic group, estimated at 58 per cent. This BC mantra is expected to give the party rich dividends in both assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
The party in a way all the more compelled to promise BC CM to Telangana, particularly after its Telangana unit president and MP Bandi Sanjay, a BC, was replaced with union minister G Kishan Reddy five months ago. There’s a backlash from sections of BCs over Sanjay’s removal. Now BJP has at least three CM candidates from BCs – Sanjay, Rajya Sabha MP Dr G Lakshman and former minister and MLA Etela Rajender.
With this, Kishan Reddy is out of the race for CM post if BJP comes to power. But, he is not contesting the assembly elections now. Of course, not many are now attaching significance to BJP’s promise of making a BC as CM, as the party has poor chances of coming to power in Telangana. If the party can’t get a full majority – 60 MLAs – how can it make a BC as CM, observers wonder.
Modi owns up BC identity
PM Modi at LB Stadium owned up his OBC identity, which is unusual for him. “BJP after getting full majority in Lok Sabha in 2014 made me, an OBC, the Prime Minister of the country. Now, I am saying, after securing full majority, BJP will make a BC as CM of Telangana,” said the PM. Modi told the public rally that as many as 27 OBC ministers are there in his council of ministers at the Centre now.
“We have 85 OBC MPs in BJP in Parliament and hundreds of others in the legislatures and legislative councils across the country. It is our government at the Centre which accorded Constitutional status to the National OBC Commission. We have given thousands of scholarships to OBC students for higher studies,” said PM Modi. He recalled how BJP made a Muslim, APJ Abdul Kalam and an adivasi, Draupadi Murmu as President of India.
He also told the public that it was late Vajpayee who first made GMC Balayogi as the first Dalit speaker of Lok Sabha. “Whenevre we, BJP got an opportunity, we always gave chances to persons from oppressed, and under privileged leaders to occupy, higher posts,” said Modi. The PM claimed that most of his welfare schemes are designed to benefit BCs and other oppressed sections.
Trains guns on KCR
PM Modi trained his guns on BRS supremo and CM KCR, saying that he has become arrogant. “Remember, all arrogant leaders will have to come down, as people will not accept them,” said Modi. The PM also pointed out all Parivarwadi Parties will never allow an outsider – BC or SC/ST as the CM. Modi said BRS and Congress are two sides of the same coin and called people to bring BJP to power.
The meeting was addressed by Kishan Reddy, Lakshman, Sanjay and Pawan Kalyan. Modi before addressing the meeting went round in an open top jeep, greeting the public in LB Stadium. In fact, it was in this stadium in 2013, he was declared as PM candidate. Modi recalled that meeting and thanked people for supporting him. Modi will address two more meetings in the next 10 days in Telangana.
