The Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh has begun groundwork for conducting local body elections in the state, even as the issue of Backward Classes (BC) reservations is turning into the most crucial factor that could influence the electoral schedule.
According to official sources, the MPTC and ZPTC elections are likely to be held in September–October next year, as the current term ends on September 23 and 24, 2025.
However, the panchayat elections, originally due in March 2025, are expected to be postponed because Class 10 and Intermediate exams will be held in February–March. The elections may be conducted only after the examinations.
To conduct local body polls, the government must first complete BC caste enumeration and determine reservation percentages for each district, mandal, and village.
For this, the state needs to appoint a dedicated delimitation and enumeration commission, as was done in Telangana.
This dedicated commission will conduct caste-wise population studies, submit a report on BC reservation percentages and enable the government to finalize quota distribution.
The government is expected to appoint the Commission’s chairman and members next month.
Ahead of the 2024 elections, the TDP-led alliance had promised to increase BC reservations to 34% in local bodies. But this is now facing legal hurdles, as has happened in Telangana, as the Supreme Court has ruled that reservations cannot exceed the 50% cap.
The courts recently struck down enhanced BC quotas in Telangana and Maharashtra.
Currently, Andhra Pradesh provides 24% BC reservation in local bodies, and officials say the state may have to go to elections with the same quota and that will put the Naidu government on the mat, as he had promised 34% quota for BCs in the local bodies.
The BC enumeration process alone may take three months. Even if the commission submits the report within six months and the government finalises reservations soon after, local body elections could still be possible by September–October 2025.
Alliance leaders have repeatedly asserted that BC quota would be raised to 34%, and even if legally impossible, parties may explore internal allocation mechanisms to honour the commitment.
Political observers say the unfolding situation could significantly influence BC voters and reshape local political equations.
