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Telangana Bandh News: The Telangana Backward Class Joint Action Committee (BC JAC) called for the state bandh on October 18 to protest the High Court's stay on a government order providing 42 per cent reservation for BCs in local body elections.

The ruling Congress in Telangana on Friday extended its support to the bandh against the High Court's stay on a government order providing quota in the local body elections.

ALSO READ: SC Dismisses Telangana Govt's Plea Against HC Stay On Giving 42% Quota To Backward Classes In Local Bodies

BJP, BRS Support Bandh

The BJP and BRS have also announced their support for the bandh. "I appeal to everyone — the general public and all communities — to participate in the BC bandh on October 18, which is being organised across the state against the BJP," said Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka in a statement.

He urged Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, along with State BJP President R Ramachander Rao, to take the initiative to arrange meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President to seek approval for the BC Bill.

BC JAC Chairman and BJP Rajya Sabha member R Krishnaiah had earlier sought support from all political parties and civil society organisations for the bandh.

Meanwhile, Telangana Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy appealed to all organisations to observe the bandh peacefully and avoid causing inconvenience to the public.

He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone indulging in unlawful or disruptive activities in the name of the bandh.

Telangana To Decide On BC Quota Issue In Oct 23 Cabinet Meet

Meanwhile, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said the state government is sincere and committed to ensuring 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes, and the issue will be discussed in the October 23 Cabinet meeting, after getting Supreme Court's judgment copy.

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the Telangana government's petition challenging a high court's decision that stayed a government order providing 42 per cent reservation to Backward Classes in local bodies.

"The Congress Party and Government have a sincere and committed intention to ensure 42 per cent reservations for BCs. Once the Supreme Court's judgment copy is received, the issue will be discussed, and a decision will be taken in the Cabinet meeting on October 23," Vikramarka said in a press release.

He added that Chief Minister Reddy and all political parties in Telangana are ready to go to Delhi under the BJP's leadership to press for the Bill's approval, but the Centre has not granted them an appointment. "Despite repeated letters to the Centre seeking permission for an all-party delegation to meet the President (Droupadi Murmu) and the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) regarding the BC Bill, no approval has been granted," Vikramarka said.

(With Agency Inputs)

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