The Telangana government is set to appeal to the Supreme Court in its bid to implement a 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections across the state. This move comes after the High Court recently clarified that these polls could proceed using the previous reservation framework.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy led extensive discussions on this crucial matter during a Zoom meeting on Friday night. Key attendees included TPCC president and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud, AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, and prominent Supreme Court advocate and Rajya Sabha member from Telangana, Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
The primary agenda of the meeting revolved around the High Court’s recent decision to halt the State government’s G.O. 9. Attendees meticulously deliberated on the optimal legal strategies to uphold the government’s commitment to increased BC reservations.
Sources indicate that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy strongly reaffirmed the government’s dedication to securing a 42% reservation for Backward Classes in local self-government bodies. He highlighted that challenging the High Court’s stay on G.O. 9 in the Supreme Court is considered the most viable path forward.
Previously, the Supreme Court had directed petitioners challenging the Government Order to first seek redress at the High Court, with the option to approach the apex court if unsatisfied. Now, the Telangana government plans to directly appeal to the Supreme Court, intending to detail the special circumstances under which G.O. 9 was enacted, particularly after determining the BC quota based on a comprehensive caste survey conducted in the state.
In a recent clarification, the High Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin, clarified that their order did not halt the election process itself. Instead, it specifically suspended the government orders (GOs) that aimed to increase reservations beyond the 50% ceiling previously established by the Supreme Court.
The bench’s order, issued late on Friday, affirmed that the Election Commission’s authority remains undiminished and the election process has not been stayed. However, the implementation of the government’s specific GOs and the expanded reservation policy will remain on hold until a final legal determination is made.
Consequently, the High Court’s directive allows the State Election Commission to proceed with notifying the proportional seats as open category, enabling the conduct of elections for local bodies in Telangana that have been pending for a considerable time.