Even as YSR Congress party government led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is getting ready to conduct the local body elections under any circumstances by March end with a view to prevent forfeiture of Rs 3,000 crore central funds to gram panchayats, the Telugu Desam Party appears to be desperately trying to get the elections postponed.
Taking advantage of the recent high court judgement directing the state government not to exceed the 50 per cent quota in reservations, the TDP has sought to get the local body elections postponed by moving the Supreme Court, alleging that injustice was being meted out to the Backward Classes.
The TDP leaders filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking provision of 34 per cent reservations to the BCs, thereby lifting the upper limit of 50 per cent fixed by the apex court in the past.
They reminded that the state had been implementing 65 per cent reservations to the weaker sections for over two decades. It is not clear whether the court had admitted the petition or dismissed it. If it admits, the elections are likely to be postponed.
The TDP leaders also met state election commissioner and asked him to conduct the elections in a democratic fashion and also appealed to see that the village volunteers be kept away from election duties.
On Wednesday, the TDP leaders also met Governor Biswabhushan Harichandan demanding that the BC quota be increased to 34 per cent.
Apparently, the TDP is not prepared to face the electoral battle in the local bodies, fearing that it might have to face a major debacle in the local bodies too.
If the TDP is not able to recover in these elections, the party’s survival itself will be in question and there is every possibility that there would be large scale exodus of leaders and cadre from the party!