Supreme Court strikes down Andhra Pradesh’s 34% BC quota for local elections, triggers tussle between Naidu and YSRCP

In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court of India set aside the 34% reservation for Backward Classes (BC) that the Andhra Pradesh government had earmarked for local body elections. The court held that the quota violated constitutional principles governing electoral representation.
The BC quota, introduced by the state to enhance participation of socially disadvantaged groups, had been a contentious issue since its announcement, with several parties filing petitions challenging its legality.
Following the ruling, N. Chandrababu Naidu, leader of the Telugu Desam Party, condemned the decision and accused the YSR Congress Party of politicising the matter. Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP, while welcoming the verdict, warned that any attempt to revive the quota would be met with legal resistance.
The verdict arrives ahead of the upcoming panchayat elections, raising questions about how parties will recalibrate their strategies in the absence of the reserved seats.