The Telangana government has moved the Supreme Court, filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the High Court’s stay on G.O.Ms No. 9, which grants 42 percent reservations to Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections. The State contended that the order, based on constitutional provisions and population data, aims to ensure fair representation for BC communities in proportion to their population share.

The High Court had earlier issued a stay on September 9 after two petitions argued that the 42 percent quota violated the 50 percent cap on reservations. In its plea, the Telangana government maintained that the Constitution does not impose any fixed ceiling on reservations, referencing the landmark Indira Sawhney vs Union of India judgment, which allows exceptions under special circumstances. It further stated that all due procedures outlined in the Vikas Kishanrao Gawali vs State of Maharashtra case were followed before issuing the order.

Citing a comprehensive SEEPC survey, the government noted that BCs make up 56.33 percent of Telangana’s population. Based on recommendations from a commission led by retired IAS officer B. Venkateshwara Rao, the quota was fixed at 42 percent. The Telangana BC Reservations Bill 2025 was passed by both Houses of the Legislature and sent to the Governor, who later referred it to the President. The government argued that the delay in approval violates constitutional timelines and urged the Supreme Court to lift the High Court’s stay, allowing local body elections to proceed under the enhanced BC quota.