PUNE: The Supreme Court’s recent order disallowing political reservations for the Other Backward Class (OBC) community may delay municipal polls across the state, including the city.
Nearly 30% seats in the municipal corporations predominantly have voters from the OBC community.
The state election commission’s announcement to hold the zilla parishad and panchayat samiti elections was opposed by the leaders belonging to the OBC category.
“We have given a memorandum to the district collectorate, stating that the elections should not be held unless the reservation issue is solved.
Not allowing these citizens to be in the political system at ease will cause social issues,” said Yogesh Sasane, a corporator in the Pune Municipal Corporation.
Community leader Balasaheb Sanap said, “All groups of the community are on the same page and are planning to file review petition in the Supreme Court.
No new elections should be declared till the judgment comes.” The Akhil Bhartiya Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad has declared an agitation to support political reservation for the community.
BJP leader Panjaka Munde also said no election should be held without OBC reservation.
“The community lost the political reservation due to the state’s improper management.
Polls should be postponed till this issue is resolved,” she said.