Leaders of the YSR Congress Party on Wednesday alleged that the coalition government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had failed to protect the interests of the Backward Classes (BCs) and was neglecting their welfare and political representation.

Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, former Ministers Chelluboyina Venugopala Krishna, Jogi Ramesh, Vidadala Rajini and Karumuri Nageswara Rao, along with former MP Butta Renuka and party leader Karumuri Sunil, accused the government of treating BC communities merely as a vote bank during elections and abandoning them after assuming power.

The leaders questioned why the coalition government had not appointed a BC leader as Deputy Chief Minister and alleged that BC communities were once again being pushed to the margins under the present administration. They claimed that several promises made to BCs before the elections, including welfare schemes and pensions, remained unfulfilled.

The YSRCP leaders said former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had ensured substantial political representation for BCs through Cabinet berths, corporation posts, nominated positions and reservations in local bodies. They also highlighted welfare initiatives implemented during the previous government, including fee reimbursement, healthcare schemes and financial assistance programmes.

Alleging that false cases were being foisted on Opposition leaders, the YSRCP leaders challenged the coalition government to hold a public debate on BC welfare. They warned that the party would launch a large-scale agitation if injustice towards BC communities continued.