Revanth’s BC Push Hits Supreme Wall

If an issue falls under the purview of the state government, it can move forward by passing a bill in the Assembly. But if it requires an amendment in Parliament, it cannot be implemented unless the Centre takes it up. The same situation seems to have hit the Revanth Reddy government hard. In the past, the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that reservations should not exceed 50 percent, granting an exception only to Tamil Nadu. Still, the Telangana government led by Revanth Reddy acted as if it could go ahead regardless—citing Rahul Gandhi’s assurance that “we will implement it, no one can stop us.” However, with the Supreme Court refusing to hear the state government’s Special Leave Petition (SLP) on Thursday, the doors have now effectively closed for Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the Congress government.Congress leaders themselves are reportedly saying that apart from promising 42% reservation for BCs during elections, there is no other route left.

They admit that Revanth Reddy’s attempt to project himself as a “BC Champion” by pushing for 42% BC reservation has failed. One party leader commented that since this cannot be achieved without the Centre’s approval, the Congress’s dharna in Delhi was merely to exert pressure on the BJP. Questions are being raised on how the government could issue a G.O. granting reservations even before the Governor approved the bill passed in the Assembly — something clearly unsustainable in law. Overall, there is a growing perception that the Revanth Reddy government has lost face in this entire episode. The Supreme Court clarified that since a related case is already pending before the Telangana High Court, it cannot take up the matter. It added that the state can, if it wishes, proceed with elections based on the existing reservation structure. Thus, the entire issue has effectively come back to square one.