Synopsis: Congress plans 42% BC seat reservation for Telangana local body elections after the Supreme Court dismissed its plea to stay a High Court order halting the quota hike from 25% to 42%. Facing legal constraints, the party may proceed with elections under the existing 50% cap or reserve 42% seats, with a final decision expected on 23 October.

The Congress appears to be coming around to the view that its only viable option before it is to go ahead with local body elections by reserving 42% of the seats for Backward Classes (BCs) — as there is no guarantee that the High Court will permit the implementation of its order enhancing BC quotas.

Under the earlier system, BCs were allotted 25 percent of the seats, Scheduled Castes (SCs) 15 percent, and Scheduled Tribes (STs) 10 percent. N

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