Supreme Court Clears Path for OBC Reservations in Maharashtra Local Elections
The Supreme Court confirmed the implementation of a 27% OBC reservation in Maharashtra's local body elections. Earlier petitions challenging this were dismissed, paving the way for elections under new ward boundaries. The court emphasized the state's role in ward restructuring and the validity of OBC reservation efforts.
- Country:
- India
The Supreme Court has decisively cleared the path for the implementation of a 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the upcoming local body elections across Maharashtra. Previously, the state government faced challenges due to petitions that questioned the empirical data supporting this quota.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed satisfaction as the court reaffirmed its earlier directive, which mandated the elections to be held according to the 2017 OBC quota. Meanwhile, state minister Chhagan Bhujbal welcomed the decision, highlighting the court's dismissal of several petitions that opposed OBC reservations and wished to revert to pre-2022 ward structures.
The court's decision also supports the state's authority over ward delimitation. Although a prior report by the Nirgudkar Commission was rejected, the Bantiya Commission's efforts, despite data discrepancies, played a role in maintaining the 27% OBC reservation. The elections will proceed with this quota under newly defined ward boundaries.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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