SC dismisses Andhra Pradesh govt's plea challenging HC order on backward class quota in local polls

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal filed by the Andhra Pradesh government challenging a high court order that struck down two government orders providing 34 per cent reservation for backward classes (BCs) in local body elections.

A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu said the Andhra Pradesh High Court had passed a reasonable order.

On October 1, the high court struck down the two government orders, observing that the 34 per cent quota violated Supreme Court guidelines stipulating that total reservation should not exceed 50 per cent.

The high court had also directed the state government and the State Election Commission to initiate the election process within six weeks.

On August 18, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the 34 per cent reservation for backward classes in local body elections.

Naidu had said the decision was part of the coalition government's political principles and fulfilled a promise made by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) during the elections to provide reservations for backward classes in nominated posts.  (with inputs from PTI)