Maharashtra CM calls all-party meeting to discuss OBC reservation in local bodies

An all-party meeting was called by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to discuss the issue of Other Backward Class reservation in local body elections.

Mumbai:Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray called an all-party meeting to discuss the issue of Other Backward Class reservation in local body elections. The meeting scheduled at 11 am in Sahayadri guest house reportedly include Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis, Minister Balasaheb Thorat, Minister and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray. Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhkoni is also invited to the meeting along with all political parties' members and OBC leaders, reports said.

Earlier this month, the Bharatiya Janata Party said that they would not allow local body elections unless the issue of OBC reservation is solved, as per reports. The Supreme Court had observed in March 2021 that OBC reservation in local bodies in the state cannot exceed 50 per cent of total seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBC jointly.

The SC cited Section 12(2)(c) of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act 1961 permitting 27 per cent reservation for OBCs. The apex court also quashed the state election commission's (SEC) notification allowing more than 50 per cent of reservation for the category in local bodies in some districts in 2018 and 2020, as per reports.

In the wake of SC's orders, last month, the SEC postponed local body elections in the state. The state government had also urged the SEC to defer the bypolls considering the pandemic and possible third wave.