The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday set aside the 34 per cent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections.
The court struck down two government orders that provided the quota. It said total reservations in local bodies cannot cross the 50 per cent limit set under Supreme Court guidelines.
The ruling came after the state government announced the 34 per cent BC quota for local body polls. The quota was one of the major promises made by the TDP-led NDA during the 2024 elections.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had announced the quota on August 18. He said BCs would get 34 per cent reservation in rural local bodies and 33.33 per cent in urban local bodies.
Following the High Court ruling, the state government decided to challenge the order in the Supreme Court. Naidu directed officials to begin the process immediately.
The High Court also directed the government and the State Election Commission to start preparations for local body elections within six weeks.
