AP Leads When Centre Hesitates on Caste Census: MP Masthan Rao

 Tirupati: Rajya Sabha member Beeda Masthan Rao declared on Saturday that Andhra Pradesh led by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has stood alongside Bihar as a leading state advocating caste census, despite central government's reluctance on the matter.

Addressing a public gathering as part of the Samajika Sadhikara Yatra at Sarvepalli in Nellore district, Masthan Rao emphasised that caste census is critical for accurately determining the percentage of reservation that backward classes must be allocated in political representation.

The MP said Jagan has ensured social justice to SC, ST, BC and minority communities. He has also given them substantial political representation.
“Out of 25 cabinet ministers, 17 are from underprivileged backgrounds. Moreover, Jagan has nominated five Rajya Sabha members from poor communities. He is committed to securing 50 per cent reservations for BCs in politics,” Masthan Rao u underlined.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy CM K. Narayana Swamy charged former chief minister and TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu of disrespecting the marginalised communities. "Naidu spoke meanly and even questioned the need for educating SCs and STs. Many TD leaders share this mind set,” he remarked.

Minister and Sarvepalli MLA Kakani Govardhan Reddy, Tirupati MP Dr. M. Gurumurthy and YSRC SC, ST, BC and minority cell leaders and party workers participated in the meeting in large numbers.