New Delhi, November 18, 2025:
The Telangana government continues to face criticism over its silence on the crucial BC reservation issue. Citizens expected transparent communication, yet the state appears to be prolonging the matter instead of offering clear answers.
During a recent cabinet meeting, the government decided to conduct only the Panchayat elections for now. All other local body elections will be held only after the reservation issue is resolved. For the upcoming Panchayat elections too, the government plans to continue using the old reservation pattern. This means the promised 42% BC reservation is still not being implemented legally. It will only be applied at the party level.
Many political observers question how the state can conduct Parishad and Municipal elections later if it cannot apply the new reservation structure even for Panchayats. Ministers seem unwilling to acknowledge this gap publicly.
Supreme Court’s Warning to Maharashtra Applies to All States
The Supreme Court recently warned the Maharashtra government that local elections might be cancelled if it exceeds the 50% reservation limit. Maharashtra tried to push for higher quotas through political means, triggering the court’s intervention.
Legal experts point out that this warning is not limited to Maharashtra. Since the Constitution applies equally to all states, every government—including Telangana—must adhere to the 50% ceiling.
Finance Commission Funds at Risk Without Panchayat Elections
The term of the 15th Finance Commission ends on March 31, 2026. If the Panchayat elections are not completed before this deadline, nearly ₹3,000 crore in central grants may be lost.
This financial risk has pushed the Telangana cabinet to expedite Panchayat polls this December. Officials have been directed to start preparations immediately. The government has decided to follow High Court and Supreme Court guidelines by ensuring reservations do not cross the 50% limit.
Ministers also clarified that future decisions on MPTC and ZPTC elections will be taken only after courts give clarity on the 42% BC reservations. Conducting elections with different reservation structures across local bodies is legally impossible.
Political Strategy or Public Confusion? People Demand Clarity
Political strategies often involve managing public perception, but reservation issues require transparency. The public expects the government to share factual details instead of creating confusion.
The Congress had promised enhanced BC reservations in the Kamareddy Declaration. However, implementing this promise requires a constitutional amendment. The party may now need to explain that it tied the promise to the possibility of Rahul Gandhi becoming Prime Minister, which did not happen.
If the government wants to offer BC representation, it can do so through party-level ticket allocation. The final decision will rest with BC voters, as no other party currently has the scope to propose or implement such high quotas. The BJP, despite being in power nationally, has not taken steps in this direction.
Many feel the Telangana government must take a more transparent and fair approach on this sensitive issue.