Mumbai, Nov 28 (NationPress) A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the elections for the 32 zilla parishads and 336 panchayat samitis as the Supreme Court has yet to clarify the electoral process for these local bodies, where the 50 percent reservation limit has been surpassed.

Nonetheless, the elections for the 29 municipal corporations, including the BMC, are anticipated to proceed according to the original schedule set by the SEC, which will be revealed shortly.

In light of Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, elections for 246 nagar parishads and 42 nagar panchayats are slated for December 2, with counting on December 3.

However, concerning the 40 nagar parishads and 17 nagar panchayats that have exceeded the 50 percent reservation limit, their fate will depend on the outcome of ongoing writ petitions, as per the Supreme Court.

In the state of Maharashtra, out of the 34 Zilla Parishads, administrators are in place for 32 ZPs, with the exception of Bhandara and Gondia, whose terms will conclude in May 2027. Among the 351 Panchayat Samitis, 336 have administrators, with elections to be held.

Sources within the state election commission indicate that the timeline for local civic bodies, approved by the apex court, will be disclosed by mid-December.

“We are reviewing the court order, and based on that, a decision will be made regarding the 17 ZPs that have surpassed the 50 percent quota limit,” sources mentioned.

Should adjustments to the reservation be necessary to meet the 50 percent limit, a reorganization of the OBC reservation will be required, which entails revising the current OBC ward reservations. However, no conclusive decision has been reached yet.

The 17 ZPs include Thane, Palghar, Nashik, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Hingoli, Nanded, Amravati, Akola, Washim, Buldhana, Yavatmal, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Wardha, and Gadchiroli.

Out of 336 PS, 88 Panchayat Samitis have surpassed the 50 percent reservation limit. The status of elections in these local bodies remains undecided.

Regarding the 29 Municipal Corporations, only Nagpur and Chandrapur have exceeded the 50 percent quota limit, with reservations at 54.30 percent and 53.03 percent respectively. However, elections will proceed there as per the Supreme Court directive.

In the meantime, the opposition has criticized the BJP-led MahaYuti government, labeling it anti-OBC.

“The Supreme Court order clearly states that the 50 percent reservation limit should not be breached, which implies that current OBC reservations will need to be reduced in many areas. This reveals the BJP’s inconsistency regarding OBC reservations,” asserted Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar.

In response, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde remarked, “We will announce our official stance only after thoroughly analyzing the Supreme Court verdict. However, we fully respect the court's decision.”