Hyderabad: The Congress-led Telangana government is reportedly preparing to approach the Supreme Court against the High Court’s interim stay on a government order (GO) that provides 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies.
On October 9, a division bench of the Telangana High Court, comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin, stayed the GO, citing that the proposed quota breached the 50% ceiling on reservations set by the Supreme Court. The court emphasized that any increase in OBC quota must follow the “triple test” framework, which requires: forming a commission to collect relevant data, determining reservation proportion based on the findings, and ensuring total reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs do not exceed 50% of seats.
Following the High Court’s order, the Telangana State Election Commission suspended the rural local body election notification issued on September 29. The suspension will remain in effect until further notice.
The Revanth Reddy government is firm on implementing the 42% reservation for BCs, citing its commitment to an election promise made before the 2023 Assembly elections. The GO, issued on September 26, is based on two Bills passed earlier this year by the state legislature to increase BC reservation in education, employment, and local bodies. These Bills are currently awaiting Presidential assent.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy recently discussed the next steps with cabinet colleagues, AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, and senior Congress leader and advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Earlier, on August 6, Reddy had led a protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, urging the Centre to grant Presidential assent and accusing the BJP-led government of delaying the Bills, labeling it “anti-OBC.”
The High Court has allowed the Telangana government four weeks to file a counter affidavit, after which petitioners may submit replies within two weeks. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has been directed to notify proportionate seats as open category and proceed with preparations for the elections.
