Congress MP Moves Supreme Court Seeking OBC Reservation In Madhya Pradesh Local Polls

Rajya Sabha MP and president of OBC Sangathan of Congress Party, Rajmani Patel, has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court seeking "maximum reservation" in Panchayat Elections to OBC candidates, stating that the category constitutes 52% population (voting share) in the State.

The petition was listed on Monday before the bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and CT Ravikumar.

The bench while adjourning the matter for March 28, 2022 directed the petitioner to serve an advance copy of the plea to the Standing Counsel of the State as well as State Election Commission.

Advocate Narendra Mishra appearing for the MP argued that the State proceeded to inaugurate the elections without reserving seats for OBCs.

"OBC population constitutes more than 50% in about three dozen districts of the state. The average population across the state is 50.09% while in numbers the OBC community stands at 3.66.24,550 out of total population of 7,26,26,809 according to census 2011. Madhya Pradesh is a first state to release caste census 2011, Average OBC population across the state is 50.09%. Bhopal district has the highest population of OBC with 63.14% of the district's total population. Mandsaur, Neemuch districts have 61.47% while Indore has 61.69% OBE population," the plea stated.

Rajya Sabha MP in his plea had also sought setting aside of the order passed by State Election Commission staying the elections in OBC categories.

Patel in the petition filed through Advocate Shiv Sagar Tiwari has sought setting aside the orders dated December 17, 18 and 22, 2021 of the SEC on the ground that the same were passed without permitting all categories of people to participate in the MP Panchayat Elections.

It may be noted that the Top Court on December 17, 2021 had stayed the election process in the seats reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the local body elections in Madhya Pradesh and had directed to re-notify OBC seats as general seats.

In January 2022, the Top Court in Central Government's application seeking recall or modification of Top Court's order dated December 17 had declined to grant the relief.

Case Title: MP Rajmani Patel v State of Madhya Pradesh and Ors

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