Hyderabad: Telangana BJP president and Union coal minister G Kishan Reddy reassured that the NDA govt would consult all stakeholders before proceeding with the delimitation exercise, dismissing fears of a reduction in Lok Sabha seats for southern states.
Speaking at a media conclave on Saturday, he emphasised that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah have already made it clear that no state will see a cut in its parliamentary representation. He further pointed out that the idea of using population as a criterion for delimitation originated with the Congress.
Addressing the ongoing debate on the three-language formula, Kishan Reddy clarified that it was Congress that shaped this policy. He challenged critics to point out any instance in the past decade where the Centre had imposed Hindi on anyone. He highlighted that the National Educational Policy was drafted by K Kasturirangan, former ISRO chairman, and was introduced in 2022 without objections at the time.
Taking a dig at Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, Kishan Reddy accused him of raising the language issue only as a political strategy ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. He pointed out the irony of DMK leaders running educational institutions where Hindi is taught, while politically opposing the language.
The Union minister also defended the practicality of learning Hindi for those working in northern states, particularly for All India Services officers. “If someone is posted in Uttar Pradesh, how can they function effectively without knowing Hindi,” he sought to know. He dismissed allegations of language imposition, stating that the opposition was indulging in political theatrics rather than raising genuine concerns.
On the BJP’s electoral prospects in the South, he expressed confidence that the party would come to power if elections were held in Telangana or Karnataka.
Waqf bill will be passed: Bandi
Hyderbaad: Union minister of state for home, Bandi Sanjay, asserted that the Centre would ensure the passage of the waqf amendment bill, despite attempts by leaders like AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi to obstruct it. He accused certain leaders of trying to communalise the issue while noting that a majority of the Muslim community, including intellectuals, welcomed the bill. “I urge Muslims not to view the waqf bill through a communal lens. The NDA govt will not hesitate to take tough decisions in the interest of its citizens,” Sanjay said.