The government has decided to consult the specific leaders involved, before taking a final call on the implementation of the Andhra Pradesh High Court order over the conduct of local body polls and the curtailing of BC quota.
Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, who was in Kurnool district for his Indiramma baata, was briefed by the Advocate General on the implications of the High Court judgement over holding elections to Panchayati Raj bodies. Sources said the Chief Minister will probably ask the Cabinet sub-committee constituted for the purpose, to hold talks with BC organisations and leaders of various political parties before he takes a final decision on the implementation of the court verdict. The CM will also obtain views of the PCC chief and his Cabinet colleagues.
Sources close to the Chief Minister said the government would involve BC organisations in the decision making, leaving no room for the Opposition to blame the government or use the situation to derive political mileage. “We want to ensure that the Congress government is not blamed,” said the source. The government has the following options: to challenge the AP High Court order in the Supreme Court against the curtailment of the BC quota in local body polls from 34 per cent to 23. 45 per cent; to launch a full-fledged socio-economic study to determine the backwardness of various communities; to wait for the 2011 Census data which is expected in March 2013; or implement in totality the High Court orders and hold the polls.
Meanwhile, confusion persists about holding municipal polls in the state. The AP High Court earlier passed orders similar to the orders passed on Tuesday in respect of Panchayati Raj bodies. The government has given an undertaking before the HC that it would hold the municipal polls based on the 2011 Census data.