Municipal Elections In Telangana Likely In January
- Municipal elections in Telangana after gram panchayat polls
- Municipal elections in Telangana amid BC reservation debate
Municipal elections in Telangana are likely to be held in January as the state government reviews its next steps after the completion of gram panchayat polls. The gram panchayat election process, which began on November 25, concluded on Wednesday. With this phase over, the government has started focusing on upcoming local body elections. The ruling Congress party, which secured a majority in the panchayat elections, believes the timing is favourable to move ahead with municipal polls.
The Congress leadership feels the recent results offer a chance to show strength not only in rural areas but also in urban regions. Therefore, the party is keen to conduct municipal elections without much delay. If preparations move as planned, elections may take place as early as January. However, the government is still weighing its options on the issue of Backward Classes reservation before finalising the schedule.
Earlier, the Revanth Reddy government made strong efforts to implement 42 percent reservation for BCs in the panchayat elections. To support this move, the government issued GO 9. However, the courts ruled that total reservation should not exceed 50 percent. They also directed that local body elections be conducted as per the old reservation system. As a result, the government’s order was stayed. This legal position has now become a key factor in future election planning.
Meanwhile, the absence of elected panchayat bodies led to another challenge. Funds worth Rs. 3 thousand crores due from the Centre were put on hold. To address this, the government decided to ensure the release of these funds by the end of the current financial year. Therefore, it issued another government order allowing panchayat elections to be held under the old reservation pattern. This step helped complete the rural polls.
However, municipal and parish elections are different as they are conducted on party symbols. Therefore, the government must take a clear decision on BC reservation before proceeding. With courts already stating that total reservation cannot cross 50 percent, the Congress is considering a political approach. It is exploring the option of allocating 42 percent of seats to BCs on a party basis rather than through statutory reservation.
It is learnt that this issue may come up for discussion in the next cabinet meeting. A decision is expected soon. There is also a possibility that municipal elections will be held first, followed by council elections later.
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