CL Rajam

As Telangana gears up for its long-overdue local body elections, slated for September Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and the Congress party should unveil a groundbreaking strategy to secure an absolute majority in the polls.

In a move that should reminiscent of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NT Rama Rao’s historic reforms, Revanth Reddy should announce a radical proposal: reserving 50% of seats for Backward Classes (BCs) and 50% for women across all levels of local governance, from Mandal Praja Parishads (MPPs) to Zilla Praja Parishads (ZPPs), including the coveted ZPP Chairperson positions. This audacious plan, if executed, could reshape Telangana’s political landscape and position Revanth as a national icon for social justice, potentially outshining even Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent prominence.

A Game-Changing Strategy

The Congress government, under Revanth’s leadership, has already made waves by conducting India’s first comprehensive Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste (SEEEPC) survey in November 2024. The caste census revealed that BCs constitute 56.36% of Telangana’s population (2,00,37,668 out of 3,55,50,759), Scheduled Castes (SCs) 17.42%, Scheduled Tribes (STs) 10.43%, and other castes 15.89%. Building on this empirical data, the Congress passed two landmark Bills in March 2025 to increase BC reservations to 42% in education, employment, and local bodies, a significant jump from the existing 23% in local governance. However, with these Bills still awaiting Presidential assent and facing legal hurdles due to the Supreme Court’s 50% reservation cap, Revanth should contemplate an out-of-the-box approach to bypass these obstacles.

One suggestion to Revanth is to publicly commit to allocating 50% of Congress’s tickets in the local body polls to BC candidates, ensuring that only BC individuals contest these reserved seats. Additionally, he should reserve 50% of seats—from ward members to ZPP Chairpersons—for women, a move that would dramatically enhance female representation in rural governance. This dual reservation strategy will appeal to two critical voter demographics: BCs, who form the majority of Telangana’s population, and women, who constitute nearly half of the state’s 3.55 crore population.

Historical Precedent and Political Capital

Revanth’s should draw inspiration from N.T. Rama Rao, the iconic former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, who is celebrated for introducing significant reservations for BCs in local body elections and granting equal property rights to women in the 1980s. NTR’s reforms cemented his legacy as a champion of social justice, and Revanth should emulate this legacy. By spearheading India’s first caste census, Revanth has already earned national recognition, with the Congress leveraging the survey’s findings to push for enhanced BC quotas. His latest proposal could elevate him to a similar stature, positioning him as a torchbearer for equitable representation.

This strategy is not without precedent. During the 2023 Assembly elections, the party’s Kamareddy Declaration promised a 42% BC quota, a commitment that resonated with voters and contributed to its electoral success. By escalating this to 50% and including women, Revanth should consolidate the BC vote while appealing to female voters, who have historically been underrepresented in Telangana’s local bodies. Currently, women hold approximately 33% of seats in gram panchayats, a figure Revanth should increas significantly.

Political Calculations and Opposition Response

This strategy will be a bold challenge to opposition parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), to match Congress’s commitment to 50% reservations for BCs and women. This move places the opposition in a precarious position. If the BJP and BRS agree to follow suit, Revanth can claim credit for setting the agenda, reinforcing his image as a transformative leader. If they reject the proposal, they risk alienating BCs and women, potentially costing them votes in a state where BCs are a dominant electoral force.

The opposition’s stance on BC reservations has been contentious. The BRS, while supportive of reservations, has criticized Congress’s approach as insincere, with BRS MLC K. Kavitha demanding immediate implementation of the 42% quota promised in the Kamareddy Declaration. The BJP, meanwhile, has opposed including Muslims in the BC category, with leaders like Union Minister Bandi Sanjay alleging that Congress plans to divert BC quotas to Muslims. Revanth has countered these claims, clarifying that Hindu BCs will receive 36.2% of the 42% quota, with backward Muslim groups (BC-E) receiving only an additional 1.8%.

Rahul Gandhi’s National Leverage

The proposed strategy could also bolster Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s national stature. Gandhi, who gained prominence through the Bharat Jodo Yatra and recent exposés on alleged voter fraud by the BJP, has been a vocal advocate for caste-based reservations. Telangana’s caste census, conducted in line with his vision, has already set a precedent for other states, including those governed by the BJP. If Revanth’s 50% reservation plan succeeds, it could become a potent weapon in Congress’s national arsenal, challenging the BJP’s narrative on social justice and appealing to OBCs and women across India.

A Defining Moment

Revanth Reddy’s 50% reservation for BCs and women will  be a defining moment for Telangana’s Congress. By invoking NTR’s legacy and leveraging the caste census, Revanth aims to cement his reputation as a champion of social justice while securing electoral dominance. The strategy’s success hinges on navigating legal hurdles, countering opposition narratives, and maintaining party unity. If executed effectively, it could not only ensure a Congress sweep in the local polls but also position Revanth and Rahul Gandhi as national leaders in the fight for equitable representation. As Telangana awaits the polls, all eyes are on Revanth to see if he can transform this bold vision into reality.