Telangana High Court Stays 42% Reservation for Backward Classes in Local Body Elections
TimesXpress Hyderabad Bureau : Hyderabad, October 09, 2025:
In a major development ahead of the upcoming local body elections, the Telangana High Court has issued a stay order on the State Government’s decision to provide 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies. The court’s order came after petitions were filed challenging the enhanced quota as being beyond the constitutional limits.
According to the petitioners, the BC reservation percentage fixed by the State Government violates the 50% cap on total reservations as laid down by the Supreme Court. They argued that the recent notification was politically motivated and lacked the mandatory ‘triple test’ compliance — which includes empirical data, proportionate representation, and the establishment of a dedicated commission report.
The Telangana Government had recently announced that BCs would get 42% reservation in local bodies, following the recommendations from the Telangana State Backward Classes Commission headed by Shri Bussani Venkateshwara Rao. The decision aimed to ensure greater political representation for marginalized backward communities.
However, with the High Court’s interim stay, the move has created uncertainty over the conduct of the local body elections, which were expected to be notified soon.
Government sources have indicated that they will challenge the stay and submit additional data before the court to justify the enhanced quota.
Meanwhile, several BC associations and organizations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Khatik Samaj (Telangana Unit), have expressed disappointment over the stay order, urging the State Government to take necessary legal steps to restore the 42% quota. Political observers say the issue could have significant implications for the upcoming polls, as backward classes form a major electoral segment across Telangana’s rural and urban constituencies.
Key Points:
- Telangana High Court stays 42% BC reservation in local bodies.
- Petitioners challenge it as exceeding constitutional limits.
- State to file appeal with supporting empirical data.
- BC associations demand immediate legal remedy.
— TimesXpress Hyderabad Bureau