Supreme Court Orders Prompt Local Elections Amid OBC Quota Dispute

The Supreme Court has mandated Maharashtra to conduct local body elections immediately. The results, however, will depend on a final ruling regarding breaches in the 50% quota limit. With many petitions pending, the case awaits a final hearing in January 2026.

The Supreme Court has instructed the Maharashtra government and its state election commission to expedite local elections. Notably, the election results for those bodies exceeding the 50% quota cap will hinge on an upcoming verdict.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant announced that 27 petitions related to OBC reservations would be processed in January 2026. As of May 2025, the court ordered elections within four months, using legal frameworks preceding the Banthia Commission report.

Currently, quotas surpass 50% in 40 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats. The court emphasized that these election results remain provisional, pending a conclusive verdict in the ongoing case.

(With inputs from agencies.)