Telangana Caste Census Should Guide National Exercise, Says CM Revanth Reddy

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has urged Congress legislators to push for the Centre to adopt the state’s caste census model in the upcoming national Census, describing Telangana’s exercise as a model for the country. He said the caste survey conducted by the state government during 2024-25 was one of its major achievements.

Speaking at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Hyderabad on Thursday, Revanth Reddy said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi were already pressing the Centre to strengthen the caste enumeration process. He recalled that the two leaders had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, calling for the existing questionnaire to be withdrawn and a new one prepared after consultations with political parties, experts and the public.

The Chief Minister said the Centre should study the experiences of Telangana and Bihar, which have already undertaken caste surveys. He asked Congress MLAs and MLCs to make efforts to ensure that the Telangana model receives consideration during the national exercise.

Revanth Reddy also asked party legislators to remain alert over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Alleging that there were attempts to remove eligible voters, he directed MLAs to ensure that no genuine voter was dropped from the lists. He cited figures mentioned by Congress sources, according to which the country has around 103 crore adults but only about 88 crore names on electoral rolls, raising concerns over the exclusion of nearly 15 crore people.

The Chief Minister launched a fresh attack on the BRS, alleging that a plan had been devised at former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s farmhouse to disrupt Assembly proceedings. He criticised BRS members over alleged objectionable remarks against Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar and accused the Opposition of repeatedly disrupting the House and making derogatory comments against public representatives and officials.

Revanth Reddy further alleged that BRS leaders insulted Dalits through their conduct towards the Dalit Speaker and a subsequent “purification” programme held at a protest site organised by the Congress SC Cell.

He also credited the Congress with providing political opportunities to P. Sabitha Indra Reddy and V. Sunitha Lakshma Reddy, while accusing them of now working against the party.

Meanwhile, the government is preparing to organise a major public meeting to mark 1,000 days in office and highlight its welfare and development programmes. The Chief Minister thanked Congress MLAs and MLCs for their support during the government’s tenure.