Hyderabad, February 18 – Backward Classes have won more than 61 per cent of the seats in the recently held municipal elections in Telangana.
Although 28.22 per cent of the wards in municipalities and 35.25 per cent divisions in municipal corporations were reserved for Backward Classes (BCs), they secured 61 per cent of the wards and divisions.
BC Commission Chairman G. Niranjan and members Rapolu Jayaprakash, Tirumalagiri Surender, and Balalakshmi Rangu expressed happiness over the fact that BCs won a significant number of seats. They said that this indicates a greater awareness among BC communities.
Elections to 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations were held on February 11, and the results were announced on February 13.
In the recently held Panchayat elections, BC candidates won 52.75 per cent of the seats, including those in the general category.
They expressed hope that in the upcoming elections to Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs), Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), and other corporations, BCs will win a large number of seats.
A comprehensive survey conducted in the state found that BCs constitute 56.33 per cent of the population.
Although the State Assembly passed a Bill providing 42 per cent reservation for BCs, it is still pending approval from the Centre.
BC Commission Chairman and members said that some people approached the courts to prevent the implementation of the 42 per cent reservation.
Considering the seats won by BCs in the recently held Panchayat elections and the municipal elections, the BC Commission wishes that the Central government gives its approval for the implementation of the 42 per cent reservation, by including it in the 9th Schedule.
They also requested those who have filed cases in the courts to withdraw the same to facilitate the implementation of the 42 per cent reservation.