• Source:JND
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Telangana Reservation Row: The row around the reservation given to the Backward Classes in local bodies in Telangana is set to reach the Supreme Court. The Congress-led government in the state is likely to approach the top court against the High Court issuing an interim stay against a Government Order (GO) providing 42 per cent reservation to Backward Classes (BC) in civic bodies.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday discussed the next course of action with his Cabinet colleagues, AICC in-charge of party affairs in Telangana Meenakshi Natarajan and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The development comes after the High Court issued the interim stay against the GO.

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The news agency, PTI, quoting Congress sources, said the government is keen on ensuring 42 per cent quota to BCs and that it would soon approach the Supreme Court for implementation of the GO.

Why Is The Controversy Around The Reservation?

Earlier, on October 9, the High Court issued an interim stay on providing 42 per cent BC reservation in local bodies, citing exceeds the Supreme Court's 50% ceiling on total reservations. The additional reservation saw the controversy as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) highlighted the legal validity of the government's move.

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Reddy on August 6 led a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding Presidential assent for the BC reservation Bills and alleged that the BJP-led central government was stalling them as it was "anti-OBC". The ruling Congress had promised before the 2023 assembly polls to provide 42 per cent reservation to the BCs.

Following the court's stay order, the Telangana State Election Commission on the same day announced that the poll notification issued on September 29 for rural local body polls and further activities are being suspended until further notification.

Fulfilling an election promise, the Congress government on September 26 issued an order to provide 42 per cent reservation to BCs in local bodies. The GO follows two bills passed by the state legislature earlier this year to enhance BC reservation to 42 per cent in education, employment, and local bodies.The Bills were forwarded to the Governor and are currently awaiting Presidential assent.

(With PTI inputs)