After the Leader of the Opposition Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy made it clear that quota for Kapus would not be possible due to a cap of 50%, the State government threw the ball into the Centre’s court asserting that the Constitution can be amended to do justice to the community.
Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Finance Minister and TDP Polit Bureau member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said that the Kapu Reservation Bill providing 5% quota in education and employment in the State was passed unanimously in the Assembly last year and sent to the Central government for inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. The Centre can amend the Constitution without altering the basic features. There were similar demands from States such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The Modi government has to respond positively, he said.
Taking a dig at Mr. Jagan for his stance, the Minister said, “It appears that the Opposition leader is against reservation to Kapus.” The TDP was going by its manifesto and promises made to the people during the elections. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu promised reservation for Kapus at Pithapuram during his walkathon. Mr. Jagan, who was demanding quota for Kapus, had changed his stand now, he said.
When pointed out that the TDP also changed its stand on the SCS, he said, “We have not changed our decision. We are only demanding justice as the Centre hasn’t implemented the special package it promised.”
Counter in apex court
The Centre did injustice to A.P. by not dividing the assets between the successor States. The Centre was misleading both the Supreme Court and Parliament on the implementation of the Reorganisation Act, he said.
The Centre has ignored the items mentioned in Schedule IX. The assets of 142 educational institutions mentioned in Schedule X had not been assessed till date. The assets have to be divided between AP and TS on the basis of population (58:42). The Centre, however, in its affidavit filed in the apex court maintained that there was no need for division of assets, the Minister said, adding, “the State government will file a counter-affidavit in the Supreme Court.”