NewKerala.com

Maharashtra Zilla Parishad Polls Set for Feb 5 Amid OBC Quota Tangle

The Maharashtra State Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule for elections to 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis on Tuesday, with voting expected on February 5. This follows the Supreme Court extending the poll deadline to February 15 after admitting the SEC's plea. The elections, prioritized for bodies within the 50% reservation limit, have been delayed due to the legal battle over OBC quotas. The results are seen as a crucial momentum builder for major alliances ahead of larger state contests.

Key Points: Maharashtra Zilla Parishad Elections Schedule Likely Tuesday

  • Elections for 12 Zilla Parishads & 125 Panchayat Samitis
  • Voting expected on February 5
  • SC extended deadline to February 15
  • OBC quota legal battle caused delays
  • Results crucial for major political alliances
2 min read

Maha: Zilla Parishad Elections likely to be announced tomorrow

SEC to announce schedule for 12 Zilla Parishad, 125 Panchayat Samiti elections on Feb 5 after SC extends deadline. Key test for alliances.

"These elections are often called 'Mini Assemblies' because they reflect the ground-level pulse - Report"

Mumbai, Jan 12

Even as the fervour for Municipal Corporation elections sweeps Maharashtra, the Maharashtra State Election Commission is likely to announce a schedule for elections to the 12 zilla parishads and 125 panchayat samitis on Tuesday.

As the state board examinations for Class 12 are starting from February 10, the voting for these local bodies is expected to take place on February 5, SEC sources said on Monday.

The SEC's move comes after the Supreme Court on Monday admitted the SEC's plea seeking extension for holding these elections beyond the January 31 deadline set by the Supreme Court (SC).

The SEC had sought the extension up to February 10 but the SC extended it to February 15 asking the state poll panel to complete the polls to the 12 zilla parishads and 125 panchayat samitis before that.

While the state is currently in the thick of municipal election campaigning -- with only voting and counting remaining -- the SEC has finalised its preparations for zilla parishads and panchayat samitis.

In the first phase, the Commission plans to hold elections for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 panchayat samitis where the 50 per cent reservation limit has not been breached.

At present, elections for 32 Zilla Parishads and 336 Panchayat Samitis remain pending across Maharashtra. Of these, 20 zilla parishads and 211 panchayat samitis exceed the 50 per cent reservation limit and their elections will take place depending on the apex court's order.

Consequently, the SEC has prioritised the 12 districts and 125 panchayat samitis that fall within the permissible legal reservation limits.

The revenue division-wise districts where the elections will take place are Pune Division: Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, and Kolhapur; Konkan Division: Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg; and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Division: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Parbhani, Dharashiv, and Latur.

The primary reason for the delay has been the legal battle over OBC (Other Backward Classes) quotas.

In 2021, the Supreme Court struck down the 27 per cent OBC reservation in local bodies because it pushed the total reservation beyond the 50 per cent ceiling set by the Indra Sawhney judgment.

The court mandated a "triple test" (setting up a commission, collecting empirical data, and ensuring reservations don't exceed 50 per cent total) before the quota could be restored. This led to a long-drawn process of data collection and legal challenges.

These elections are often called "Mini Assemblies" because they reflect the ground-level pulse of rural and semi-urban voters.

For the major alliances in Maharashtra, these results are crucial for momentum heading into state-level contests.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Zilla Parishads are the backbone of rural development. It's good to see the process moving forward, but the constant legal tussles over reservations are delaying crucial work. The "triple test" is necessary, but the implementation needs to be faster.
A
Arjun K
Calling them "Mini Assemblies" is spot on! The results here will set the tone for the bigger battles. Parties will be testing their ground-level strength, especially in districts like Pune and Kolhapur. Interesting times ahead! 🗳️
P
Priya S
As a teacher, I'm relieved they scheduled voting for Feb 5, before the Class 12 boards start on the 10th. Exam centres and polling stations often overlap. This planning is sensible and avoids last-minute chaos for students.
M
Michael C
Observing from outside, the complexity of Indian elections is fascinating. Balancing legal mandates, reservation limits, and exam schedules is a huge logistical task. The Supreme Court's role in setting deadlines shows a robust system of checks.
K
Karthik V
While I support social justice, the 50% reservation ceiling is a constitutional principle that must be respected. The delay was unfortunate, but adhering to the "triple test" ensures fairness. Hope the elected representatives focus on development now.
N
Nisha Z

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50