Telangana prepares legal strategy as Supreme Court reviews BC quota

The Telangana government is gearing up for a legal fight in the Supreme Court over its decision to provide 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes in Panchayat Raj and Urban Local Body elections.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, Congress state unit chief Mahesh Kumar Goud, and minister Ponnam Prabhakar are expected to travel to New Delhi soon. They will meet the state’s legal counsel to finalise the strategy for defending the quota. The team will also consult senior lawyers to ensure the government’s arguments are placed strongly before the court.

An affidavit has already been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the quota hike. The petition argues that the move violates the 50 per cent ceiling on reservations set by earlier court rulings. Historically, reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes combined have been capped at 50 per cent.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, his cabinet, PCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud, and AICC In-charge Meenakshi Natarajan have all expressed their commitment to the 42 per cent quota. The government has already issued an order to implement it, a step that delayed the conduct of local body elections.

Following the order, the Telangana State Election Commission announced the schedule for the Rural Local Body polls. Voting will take place in five phases between October 23 and November 8, 2025.

The Supreme Court has, in the past, stressed that the 50 per cent ceiling on reservations must be maintained. The outcome of this case will determine whether the Telangana government can move forward with its decision to increase the quota for Backward Classes in local polls.