The Supreme Court of India has given the green light for local body elections in Maharashtra to proceed as scheduled, but with significant exceptions that leave the fate of 17 Zilla Parishads and 88 panchayat samitis hanging in balance. The court's Friday verdict specifically excludes areas where the total reservation exceeds the 50 percent constitutional limit from immediate elections.
Election Schedule and Uncertain Territories
According to sources within the State Election Commission, the election program for local civic bodies is likely to be announced by mid-December. However, the commission is currently studying the court order to determine the procedure for the 17 Zilla Parishads that have crossed the 50 percent reservation threshold.
Out of Maharashtra's 34 Zilla Parishads, administrators currently govern 32, with only Bhandara and Gondia having elected representatives whose terms will expire in May 2027. Elections will be conducted for 336 out of the total 351 panchayat samitis across the state.
The Reservation Conundrum
The Supreme Court's order permits elections to proceed as scheduled with a crucial condition: results in seats where total reservation breaches the 50 percent cap will be subject to the outcome of pending writ petitions. This affects 40 nagar parishads and 17 nagar panchayats where the nomination process has already commenced and voting is scheduled for December 2, with counting on December 3.
The 17 affected Zilla Parishads include: Thane, Palghar, Nashik, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Hingoli, Nanded, Amravati, Akola, Washim, Buldhana, Yavatmal, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Wardha, and Gadchiroli.
Political Reactions and Implications
The opposition has seized the opportunity to criticize the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti government. Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar stated, "The SC order clearly says that the 50 percent reservation limit should not be crossed, which means the current OBC reservation will have to be curtailed at many places. It exposes BJP's double standards on OBC reservation."
In response, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde maintained that the government would announce its official position only after thoroughly studying the Supreme Court verdict. "We fully respect the court's decision," Shinde added.
Sources indicate that adjusting reservations to comply with the 50 percent limit would require reorganization of OBC reservation, including revising present OBC ward reservations. However, no final decision has been taken yet by the election authorities.
Meanwhile, elections for 29 municipal corporations will proceed as planned, with only Nagpur and Chandrapur having exceeded the 50 percent quota limit at 54.30 percent and 53.03 percent reservation respectively. Despite this breach, elections in these corporations will be conducted according to the Supreme Court's directive.
