Cong govt in Telangana mulls moving SC on BC reservation

The Congress government in Telangana is considering approaching the Supreme Court to ensure 42 per cent reservation for the Backward Classes (BC) in the local polls after the High Court directed that the State Election Commission could proceed with the elections, but under the earlier reservation rules. Much to the disappointment of the Congress, the High Court stayed the government order providing 42 per cent reservation to the BCs in the local polls on the ground that the total reservation exceeds 50 per cent, which goes against the Supreme Court’s directive.

Following the setback in the High Court, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has already begun discussions with senior Cabinet colleagues, AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, PCC chief Mahesh Goud, and Rajya Sabha MP from Telangana Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is also a senior advocate of the Supreme Court. The Cabinet will also meet on 16 October, where the issue is likely to be discussed as well. The Congress is already facing criticism from the Opposition parties BRS and BJP, who have accused the government of being insincere on the issue of enhanced reservation for BCs. However, the government is banking on its caste survey report to convince the apex court about the enhanced BC reservation. The Chief Minister has maintained that the Congress was committed to the enhanced reservation for BCs.

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The detailed copy of the High Court order, uploaded late at night, stated that the State Election Commission could proceed with the elections under the existing reservation pattern, thereby putting on hold the latest government orders that enhanced the BC reservation to 42 per cent. Under the GOs issued by the state government, the total reservation would have been 67 per cent, exceeding the 50 per cent set by the Supreme Court. The bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin also allowed four weeks to file a counter affidavit, and the petitioners will get another two weeks to file their reply. Following the court’s order, the SEC has announced that the poll notification and other related activities were suspended till further notice.