BCs Must Become Equal Partners in Governance, Says Ponnam Prabhakar

Backward Classes (BCs) should not remain merely a vote bank but must have an equal role in governance, decision-making and development, Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said on Saturday. Addressing the ‘Telangana Rising’ panel at the Bharat Summit–2026 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), he said social justice was essential to a genuine democracy and that caste enumeration was aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for historically disadvantaged communities rather than dividing society.

Prabhakar said BCs constituted 56.36 per cent of Telangana's population and highlighted the Congress government's initiative under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to provide 42 per cent reservation to BCs in local bodies. He said the government's priorities included quality education for children, employment for youth and a dignified life for every family. Ministers Seethakka, Justice Sudarshan Reddy, Professor Kancha Ilaiah, Professor Bangya Bhukya, Professor Sujatha Surepally and AICC Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba also participated in the discussion.

Defending Rahul Gandhi, Prabhakar said criticism of his efforts to protect the Constitution, democracy and national unity was unwarranted. He alleged that some leaders were targeting Rahul Gandhi ahead of his Hyderabad visit to gain political visibility. Taking a dig at KTR, he said the BRS leader had no standing to criticise Rahul Gandhi. He reiterated that Sonia Gandhi was responsible for the formation of Telangana and recalled the sacrifices made by her family for the country.

Targeting the previous BRS government, Prabhakar cited the incidents at Nerella, the handcuffing of farmers in Khammam and the lathi-charge on Mallannasagar oustees. He alleged that the previous government had failed to issue even one Group-I notification during its ten-year tenure, while the present government had issued notifications and conducted examinations.

He asserted that his government had the ability to fulfil its promises and prioritised public welfare over personal wealth. Referring to the Formula E-race case, Kaleshwaram project, power purchases and assigned lands, he questioned the BRS leadership's criticism amid allegations of corruption.

Meanwhile, Prabhakar, along with Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and Seethakka, inaugurated a photographic exhibition showcasing India's historical diplomatic relations and interactions between former Prime Ministers and world leaders. He also visited a book stall and examined Sonia Gandhi's 'Belonging: A Journey of Love'.

Separately, Ramagundam MLA Makkhan Singh Raj Thakur met Prabhakar at the Ministers' Quarters and invited him to his son's wedding, requesting him to bless the couple.