Telangana to hold municipal elections soon as HC strikes down objecting petitions

The High Court of Telangana on Tuesday gave the green signal to the government to conduct municipal elections in the state. Several petitions had been filed over a period of time against the state government, alleging flaws and dilution of the BC (Backward Class) reservation policy, among other issues. With the government deciding to cap reservation at 50% in the new Municipal Act, BC organisations had cried foul that the move will damage their erstwhile 33% quota in united Andhra.

However, with the HC striking down all the petitions and stating that it will not interfere with the election process, the path ahead for conducting municipal elections has become clear. 

Earlier, the HC had maintained that it will hear all the stakeholders' arguments before delivering the verdict. It had asked the government to go ahead only after resolving all the objections raised by voters in a meaningful manner.

 

Though the state government sought to complete municipal elections by August 15, the petitions delayed the same.

 

With the HC asking the state government and EC to immediately initiate the procedure to conduct elections, Telangana's six municipal corporations and 142 local municipalities are set to witness the elections, barring bodies that are yet to complete the tenure. 

 

The state government will finalise the reservation policy as soon as the EC releases the notification. It is said that the elections may conclude by the end of December.