The Maharashtra Local Polls Quota Cap issue reached the Supreme Court on Monday, where the bench sternly cautioned the state government against exceeding the 50% reservation ceiling in upcoming local body elections. The court said it will not hesitate to halt the election process if authorities attempt to implement reservation percentages beyond the constitutionally permitted limit.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra questioned the Maharashtra government over its dependence on the Banthia Commission findings, which have reportedly not undergone full legal verification. The court directed that elections must proceed based on the pre-commission reservation structure until the matter is fully adjudicated.
The hearing was triggered by petitions claiming that some local bodies were prepared to implement reservation percentages as high as 70%, including quotas for SC, ST and OBC communities combined. The court reiterated that such figures violate the constitutional mandate and the principles laid down in the 2021 “triple-test” judgment, which outlines the essential criteria for granting OBC reservation in local elections.
The Supreme Court issued notices to the state government and relevant stakeholders while scheduling the next hearing for November 19. The bench emphasized that while affirmative action policies are vital, they must balance constitutional safeguards, equality before law, and administrative fairness.
Legal experts view this order as a critical milestone in the long-running debate over reservation caps and the governance of local electoral structures. Political reactions are expected to intensify as nomination processes are already underway, potentially leading to procedural delays depending on the court’s final ruling.
