Andhra Pradesh approves BC quota recommendations for local elections

Andhra Pradesh’s Cabinet approved recommendations on Backward Classes representation in local bodies on October 10, while ruling coalition parties pledged additional opportunities through their own nominations.

Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu said the Rajiv Ranjan Mishra Commission’s proposals would provide an average reservation of 28.18% across local bodies. The Cabinet forwarded its approved recommendations to the State Election Commission for further action, The Hindu and South First reported.

The minister distinguished statutory reservations from party nominations. Where legal allocations fall below 34%, the NDA partners TDP, BJP and JSP would offer additional opportunities at party level, he said. That pledge does not establish a uniform legal quota of 34%.

The proposed allocations vary by office: 26.73% for village panchayat ward members, 27.95% for sarpanches, 32.78% for urban ward members, 33.02% for municipal chairpersons and 35.29% for mayors.

Ministers said allocations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes used the 2011 census, with BC shares determined after accounting for those reservations and applicable legal limits.

The coalition said it was ready to contest the elections once the Election Commission issued its notification. Approval of the recommendations therefore does not itself announce an election schedule.