Higher Quota to See BCs Get Increased Civic Posts

Hyderabad: The Congress government’s move to implement 42 per cent reservations for the Backward Classes (BCs) in the local bodies will significantly increase political representation for the communities, enabling them to secure nearly 24,000 additional posts ranging from panchayat ward members to zilla parishad chairpersons.

This measure, the ruling party argues, will reverse the setback faced by the community during the BRS regime, when the BC quota was reduced from 32 to 23 per cent in 2019, leading to the loss of 13,346 posts in rural and urban local bodies.

According to estimates, once the 42 per cent quota comes into force, BC candidates will occupy 55,624 posts in rural local bodies. Even if the implementation is pursued indirectly, by political parties allotting 42 per cent of tickets to the community, the outcome would still ensure substantial representation across tiers of local governance.

The Congress government arrived at this figure after analysing data gathered through the caste census. Congress leaders allege that the BJP-led Centre deliberately delayed the process despite repeated representations and protests in Delhi. The Congress has vowed to enforce the enhanced quota by all means, and party leaders point out that their stand has forced even Opposition parties to raise the BC empowerment slogan.

Overall, the step marks a sharp reversal of the losses sustained by BCs during the earlier BRS regime and signals the Congress’ determination to consolidate its support among backward communities.