The Congress government in Telangana is in a complete dilemma regarding the Panchayat elections. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is searching for a suitable political strategy to face the local body elections. Ruling party’s plan is to complete the local body elections and maintain its dominance before the opposition Bharata Rashtra Samithi (BRS) re-emerges. When the government wants to moves forward with the Panchayat elections; the more it is getting delayed. In any case, the government, which is determined to hold the Panchayat elections in February, is facing some form of inconvenience.

Currently, the notification for the biennial elections of the Legislative Council in the state has been issued, and the entire process will continue till March 8. The final decision on the BC reservations is expected to be taken only after the report of the Dedicated BC Commission is received. This report is expected to be received by February 2, and accordingly, after submitting the report to the High Court, it will take more time until the final decision is taken. Due to this, the government is in doubt about the conduct of the Panchayat elections. However, there are indications that the State Election Commission is ready to hold the elections within 15 days if the government takes a decision on reservations.

In addition, the state government has announced that the four newly launched schemes will be provided to the eligible beneficiaries by the end of March. The government, which has currently implemented these schemes in every village in the mandal, has announced that it will be completed in all the villages, towns and cities by the end of March. Accordingly, there is no positive atmosphere for the conduct of the Panchayat elections till the end of March. In this situation, there are indications that the delay in the Panchayat elections will continue.

Meanwhile, the term of the Gram Sarpanches ended on February 1 last year and the rule of Special Officers came into force.

Issue of BC Reservations

As per the promise given by the Congress party that it will go for local body elections only after implementing 42 percent BC reservations before the assembly elections in the state, it intends to implement reservations. However, after the Dedicated BC Commission report is submitted to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on 2nd of this month, the report will have to be submitted to the court and get permission. If it is delayed until then, the Panchayat elections are likely to be held only by the end of March. Accordingly, there is a possibility of another meeting after February 2 and a decision on the Panchayat elections. On the other hand, the government is also exploring the possibilities of increasing BC reservations in local bodies.

Revanth Reddy government is considering whether to proceed with the old method of reservation or to get an opportunity to increase quota. It is learned that the government intends to move forward in this matter in depth according to the advice of legal experts. Overall, the Commission report has become crucial for the state government to take a final decision on the conduct of the Panchayat elections. The Panchayat elections are facing setbacks due to the reservation issue and legal issues. Political analysts predict that a decision on this is likely to be taken soon.