The Telangana Cabinet has cleared an ordinance amending the Panchayat Raj Act to set aside 42% of seats for Backward Classes in all upcoming local body elections, including panchayats, municipalities and municipal corporations across the state. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s Congress government said the expanded quota fulfils a long-standing demand for greater representation of Backward Classes. Congress figures, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, hailed the measure as a milestone for social justice. Political reactions were mixed. Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K. Kavitha welcomed the ordinance, noting her party and allied organisations had campaigned for the 42% figure. The Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the move; spokesperson Rachna Reddy and state president N. Ramchander Rao called the underlying caste survey questionable and accused the Congress of misleading BC voters.