BC Quota hits legal wall: Naidu bets on Political Formula

On Oct 1, AP High Court struck down GO 105 and 1065 providing 34 percent reservation to BCs in Panchayat Raj institutions and 33.33 percent in urban bodies, holding it breaches 50 percent ceiling.

On Oct 9, bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu dismissed state plea, asking, under what law is Unified Family Survey conducted? Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi defended data, but court said HC order reasonable.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who announced quota on Aug 18, pivoted Saturday at 4:30 pm IST at Narsingolu. He said, BCs are 50.54 percent population, they are backbone of TDP for 45 years. While NTR introduced 24 percent, I increased it to 34 percent, YSRCP reduced it to 24 percent. Now NDA will allot 34 percent tickets to BCs even if law blocks statutory quota.

Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, who co-released BC Declaration with Naidu, backed quota as historic correction. He said without BCs, there is no India. Jana Sena supported promise.

YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy hit back on X at 6:00 pm IST, Chandrababu Naidu, you are Mr 420 when it comes to promises. You promised 34 percent, lured BCs and betrayed them. Supreme Court verdict exposed deception. Apologise to BCs at least now. He called Super Six and 143 promises biggest fraud.

Now that Mishra Commission report is pending acceptance, it's grant without caste census or constitutional shield, political quota may be only viable short-term option before elections.