Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy had committed that his party would give 34 per cent reservation to the BCs in the on-going local body elections.
Though the High Court had rejected the 34 per cent reservations for the BCs and the issue is still pending in the Supreme Court, the statement of the chief minister proves his commitment to the cause.
The YSR Congress will field BC candidates to the extent of filling 34 per cent seats, though unofficially.
While the Opposition TDP still stands in the court and speaking for the media on the BC reservations issue, the announcement of Jaganmohan Reddy made his first move to the advantage of the backward classes.
It is not so easy in the days this politics to stand by the word unless one has the commitment and a strong attachment to the word.
Jaganmohan Reddy had been proving himself as a leader standing for the word right from the day one of his coming to power.
He tried to give legal sanctity to the BC reservations but failed as the courts quashed his decision. Not stopping there at the court door, Jaganmohan Reddy moved forward to fulfill the promise by committing to implement his decision.
It is a welcome move from the young politician, who among other things, is planning for political reforms, making leaders and parties accountable to the people.
Jaganmohan Reddy’s decision to do away with money and liquor in politics is one of the welcome decisions besides the quota for the BCs.
For good or bad, in terms of political advantage to the ruling party, the leader is taking challenging decisions, which are much needed for the health of democracy.
If he succeeds in this mission and keeps liquor and money away from elections and gives the quota for the BCs, it is for sure that this victory would take him a long way in the politics. His success would certainly be a lesson to other politicians in the country.
If he fails, he should learn a lesson that the time is not ripe for political revolution in the country and wait for that day as he sails through the corrupt politics and practices.
