Hyderabad, Oct. 18 -- A Telangana-wide bandh called by Backwards Class (BC) associations demanding 42 percent reservations in the upcoming local body elections is underway across the state.

The shutdown, which began at 4 am, has disrupted TGSRTC bus services as protesters blocked depots in several districts. Essential services like medical shops and ambulances remain exempt.

Ruling Congress, opposition BRS, BJP, Telangana Jagruthi and other parties have extended full support to the bandh. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Mahesh Kumar Goud urged party leaders, ministers, and legislators to participate.

BRS leaders, including former minister Srinivas Goud, joined demonstrations at various depots, criticizing both Congress a...