Opposition parties challenge Andhra Pradesh BC reservation orders

The YSR Congress Party, CPI and CPI(M) have criticised the Andhra Pradesh government after the High Court struck down orders providing enhanced reservation for Backward Classes in local bodies. The orders, G.O.s 105 and 1065, provided 34% reservation for BCs in rural local bodies and 33.33% in urban local bodies. The court also directed that the local body election process be initiated within six weeks.

YSRCP leaders and former Ministers Dharmana Prasada Rao and Chelluboyina Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna said the verdict exposed what they described as a political approach to the reservation issue. Prasada Rao said his party had warned that the government orders could face legal difficulties because aggregate vertical reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and BCs ordinarily could not exceed the 50% ceiling. He challenged the government to demonstrate its commitment to BC political representation in the forthcoming elections.

Venugopala Krishna questioned why the government had not pursued a constitutional route to protect reservation above the existing ceiling. He referred to Tamil Nadu’s Ninth Schedule model and demanded an apology to BC communities. The YSRCP leaders said the previous state government had expanded BC representation in political positions.

They cited nine of 13 mayoral posts and six of 13 Zilla Parishad chairperson posts, as well as representation in Parliament and the Legislative Council. CPI State secretary G. Eswaraiah demanded 42% reservation for BCs and urged Chief Minister N.

Chandrababu Naidu to seek a constitutional and legal framework from the Centre. He also opposed local elections until a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls was completed. CPI(M) State secretary V.

Srinivasa Rao urged the Centre to amend the Constitution to remove the 50% ceiling. He alleged that the government had announced the reservation despite knowing the legal constraints.