Supreme Court Upholds Quashing of Andhra Pradesh 34 Percent BC Local Poll Quota

The Supreme Court dismissed Andhra Pradesh’s challenge to a High Court ruling invalidating government orders providing 34 per cent reservation for Backward Classes in local-body elections.

Background

The High Court had questioned the data used to justify the reservation. During related local-election proceedings, the Supreme Court also indicated that an unfinished Special Intensive Revision should not become a reason to delay notified polls.

Legal issue and reasoning

The dismissal leaves the High Court’s assessment of the impugned reservation orders undisturbed. The election-roll observation addresses the need to proceed within the statutory election schedule, not the validity of every aspect of SIR.

Outcome and next step

The State must conduct the local-body electoral process consistently with the surviving legal framework and any operative election directions.