TDP seeks Ambedkar's statue at state legislature

Hyderabad: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday urged Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar to take steps for the installation of a bronze statue of Dalit leader Dr B R Ambedkar on the state Legislature premises.

A delegation of TDP legislators met the Speaker this afternoon and handed over a letter written by their chief N Chandrababu Naidu.

"The Legislatures should stand as models to the philosophies of liberty, equality and social justice propagated by Ambedkar. Everyone should re-dedicate themselves to upholding the democratic values and fulfilling the ideals of the architects of the Indian Constitution. We should give a proper direction to the coming generations by installing a statue of Ambedkar," Chandrababu said in the letter.

He also expressed anguish over the desecration of Ambedkar statues at some places in the state in the last few days.

Telugu Desam Legislature Party deputy leaders M Narasimhulu, Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu, whip Dhulipalla Narendra and others were among those, who met the Speaker.

Meanwhile, speaking at a conference of backward classes leaders at the TDP headquarters, Chandrababu demanded that the Central government constitute a National Backward Classes Commission to safeguard the interests of BCs in the country.

He demanded that 33 per cent reservation be provided to BCs in the state legislatures and the Parliament.

While welcoming government reservations for Muslims, the TDP chief wanted a separate quota rather than a sub-quota within the BC reservations.