Overview

• Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G. M. Mohiuddin stayed G.O. Ms. Nos. 9, 41 and 42 that raised BC reservation to 42%, taking a prima facie view that the total would breach 67% against the 50% cap.
• The court clarified it has not halted elections and said the SEC may treat the enhanced proportion of seats as open category and proceed under the earlier reservation pattern.
• Despite the clarification, the Telangana State Election Commission suspended the notified rural local body poll process and later sought the government’s guidance on next steps.
• The High Court gave the state four weeks to file a counter-affidavit and two more weeks for petitioners’ replies, with further hearing listed about six weeks from the order.
• The Congress-led government is preparing an appeal to the Supreme Court to revive the 42% quota, while BC organisations have called a statewide bandh on October 14 in protest against the stay.