Tue Aug 26 13:09:25 UTC 2025: ## Summary:

The Telangana State government is proceeding with local body elections by September 30th, as mandated by the High Court, despite the central government’s lack of approval for enhanced reservations for Backward Classes (BCs). The Telangana State Election Commission has issued a rapid timeline for preparing and publishing electoral rolls for gram panchayats. This decision comes after the state government’s unsuccessful efforts to lobby the central government for consent to Bills providing 42% reservations for BCs in local body elections. Officials have been instructed to prepare and display draft electoral rolls, with a tight schedule for objections and final publication. The elections will likely proceed with the previous reservation levels.

## News Article:

**Telangana to Hold Local Body Elections Despite Reservation Stalemate**

**Hyderabad, August 26, 2025 (The Hindu):** The Telangana State government has announced it will proceed with elections to local bodies by the High Court-imposed deadline of September 30th, even without the central government’s approval for enhanced reservations for Backward Classes (BCs).

The Telangana State Election Commission has released a fast-tracked schedule for officials to prepare and publish electoral rolls for gram panchayats. This move signals the government’s intention to adhere to the court’s deadline, despite its persistent efforts to secure the central government’s assent to Bills providing 42% reservations for BCs in local body elections.

The state government had previously made repeated appeals to the central government, including staging a protest in Delhi, but these efforts have been unsuccessful.

“Left with no other choice, the government appears to have decided to go ahead with the elections with reservations fixed in the previous elections,” a government source confirmed. While the ruling Congress party remains committed to implementing a 42% quota for BC candidates, the election commission is following current guidelines.

Officials have been instructed to prepare and display draft photo electoral rolls at gram panchayat and mandal parishad offices by August 28th. A short window has been provided for objections, with the final publication of electoral rolls slated for September 2nd. The expedited timeline reflects the government’s commitment to meeting the court-mandated deadline, despite the ongoing political impasse regarding BC reservations.

The implications of this decision for BC representation in local governance remain to be seen.

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