In Telangana, the push to hike Backward Classes (BCs) reservation in local body elections to 42% has turned into a major hot topic. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy isn’t just treating this as a numbers game—he’s framing it as a core part of his social justice agenda, even as he navigates the legal and bureaucratic maze that comes with it.
The 42% BC Quota Strategy
State government wants to bump BC reservations from 25% to 42%. But there’s a big hurdle. If you add up the BC, SC, and ST quotas, the total shoots past the 50% cap set by the Supreme Court. Telangana’s answer… they passed a special Bill and a resolution in the assembly, but they know that’s not enough. The Chief Minister says the only way to make this stick for good is to get it written into the 9th Schedule of the Constitution—or get a central law passed. So, they’re taking the fight national, hoping to shield the policy from court challenges.
Delay in Parishad Elections?
All this means Zilla and Mandal Praja Parishad (ZPTC & MPTC) local body elections are on hold. The government wants to settle the reservation issue before holding Mandal and Zilla Parishad polls. In a recent cabinet meeting, Revanth Reddy drove home the point: waiting for clarity on the 42% quota guarantees BCs get a fair shake in the next elections. His ministers agree—going ahead with the old 25% quota doesn’t match what people have said in state surveys.
Data and the Caste Census
The state’s Social, Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste (SEEEPC) survey found that BCs make up 56.33% of Telangana’s population. Yet, their political representation sits at just 25%. The government argues that 42% is a reasonable middle ground—enough to reflect the true demographic weight of BC communities.
"Mass Outreach" Program: June 2 Milestone
To keep the momentum going, the government’s rolling out a massive outreach campaign, leading up to Telangana State Formation Day on June 2. Every department will report on welfare and development work. Ministers and officials will visit towns and villages, tackling complaints in person and making the case for the BC reservation plan.
Local Body Polls: BC Representation
The numbers are telling… BCs make up 56.33% of the population. Their current quota is 25%. The proposed quota is 42%. Altogether, the target for total reservation—including SC and ST—is 67%. In recent municipal elections, BC candidates grabbed more than 60% of the seats, including general category wins. Next up, the state will keep pressing national leaders for a constitutional fix to the 42% quota. Meanwhile, all eyes turn to the grassroots, as the outreach program gets underway.
