A war of words broke out between Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy and BRS MLC K Kavitha after the BJP leader criticised BRS for fielding only six women candidates in the upcoming Telangana Assembly election. Reddy said BRS gave tickets to only six women while announcing candidates for 115 out of the 119 Assembly seats.
Referring to the recent protest staged by Kavitha, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter, in the national capital demanding the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament, Reddy questioned why the BRS was not implementing reservations for women.
"Bangaru Kutumbam Family members created drama in Jantar Mantar demanding 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament. In Bangaru Kutumbam Mathematics 33 per cent reservation led to six seats (3+3= 6) being given for women by the BRS party this time," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Kavitha, who is a member of the Telangana Legislative Council, hit back at Kishan Reddy for questioning the delay in passing the bill.
"Your concern for women's rights is astonishing but welcoming, if that's how you personally feel about it, politics aside. Finally someone from BJP has at least acknowledged this long pending demand. Kishan Anna, with an overwhelming majority in the Parliament, BJP can table and pass any Bill. Your party has refused to even entertain its two-time manifesto promise of the Women's Reservation Bill," said Kavitha.
Kavitha said the BJP was waiting to "poach" BRS candidates who did not get tickets for the upcoming polls.
"Speaking of ticket distribution by the BRS Party, we understand your frustration and confusion. You were waiting to poach our candidates who did not get the tickets. Please don't link your political insecurities to women's representation. CM KCR himself believes that without a constitutional right in place just like that of local bodies, which now gives 14 lakh women a chance to represent, this is not possible at the national and assembly level," Kavitha said.
"CM KCR Garu has proposed a formula to increase the number of seats in Parliament and reserve 1/3rd of them for women leaders. BRS Party does not sell Jumlas like the BJP," she further said.
Kavitha also wanted to know Kishan Reddy's opinion on the issue of women's representation. The BRS leader said she wanted to see what the BJP, Congress, and other parties would offer to the women of Telangana in terms of ticket distribution.
"Politicising a structural flaw will only expose the intent of all the political parties that represent the aspirations of the people of the country that are never fulfilled, especially by a party that has been boasting about its thumping majority but does nothing for giving women an equal space in political discourse," Kavitha added.