Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves BC Reservation Quotas in Local Bodies

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved revised reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections based on the Rajiv Ranjan Commission report, outlining separate quotas for rural and urban local institutions.

Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu announced the decision at a media briefing following Saturday’s Cabinet meeting at the state Secretariat. He said the coalition government was committed to ensuring social justice and political representation for BC communities.

Under the approved framework, BCs will receive 26.73% reservation in gram panchayat ward member posts and 27.95% in sarpanch posts. At the mandal level, the quota will be 25.55% for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) members and 24.6% for Mandal Parishad presidents.

At the district level, reservations will stand at 24.6% for Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) members and 23.08% for Zilla Parishad chairperson posts.

In urban local bodies, BCs will receive 32.78% reservation in ward member posts, 33.02% in municipal chairperson posts and 35.29% in mayoral positions, Atchannaidu said.

The Cabinet’s decision comes a day after the Supreme Court struck down the state’s earlier move to provide 34% reservation to BCs in local bodies. The revised percentages follow the commission’s report and specify quotas across different categories of local institutions.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav accused YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of attempting to reduce BC reservations from 34% to 24%. He alleged that the opposition was obstructing the coalition government’s efforts to improve political representation for BCs and seeking to delay local body elections.

Yadav also warned that delays in conducting the elections could affect the flow of funds Andhra Pradesh is expected to receive from the 16th Finance Commission.

The reservation issue has emerged as a major political flashpoint in the state, with the government highlighting its commitment to BC representation and the opposition facing allegations over its position on the revised quotas.