New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition filed by Vanga Gopal Reddy challenging the Telangana government’s decision to provide 42 percent reservation for Backwards Classes (BCs) in local body elections.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta heard the matter and declined to interfere, suggesting instead that the petitioner approach the Telangana High Court for appropriate relief.
The petition questioned the constitutional validity of implementing reservations beyond the 50 percent cap in local body elections.
The petitioner had assailed the Telangana High Court’s earlier verdict that had upheld the government’s move.
The challenge was directed against Government Order (GO) No. 9, through which the Telangana government increased the quota for BCs in local body polls to 42 percent.
When combined with the existing 15 percent reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 10 percent for Scheduled Tribes (STs), the total reservation reached 67 percent.
Gopal Reddy urged the Supreme Court to stay the implementation of the GO, citing the urgency of the matter and warning that the issuance of the election notification could cause “irreparable damage.”
However, the Bench refused to grant any interim relief, directing that the High Court should decide the matter on the merits. With this observation, the petition was dismissed.
