The Telangana government has begun preparations to defend its decision to enhance reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) to 42% in local bodies after the move was challenged in the Supreme Court. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, along with ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Vakiti Srihari, met top lawyers Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Siddharth Dave in New Delhi to strategize the state’s legal approach. The government emphasized that the decision was made after conducting a comprehensive caste survey, collecting empirical data, and following the Supreme Court’s guidelines through a dedicated BC Commission and expert group review.

The petitions, filed by Reddy Jagruthi leader B. Madhava Reddy and Vanga Gopal Reddy, contend that the Government Order (GO) violates the constitutional 50% cap on reservations and the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act of 2018. The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta will hear the case, while similar petitions are also pending in the Telangana High Court with a hearing scheduled for October 8. The petitioners argue that the GO is anti-constitutional and detrimental to existing reservation structures, while the state maintains it complies with legal and constitutional standards.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would uphold the state’s decision, citing the Indira Sahni judgment, which allows reservations beyond 50% if backed by empirical evidence. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar urged petitioners to withdraw their cases, assuring that the 42% BC reservation does not affect quotas for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or Economically Weaker Sections. With rural local body elections approaching, the government aims to ensure that the enhanced BC reservations are implemented without legal hindrances.