Supreme Court gives nod to Maharashtra local body elections

Key Points

1. Supreme Court approved Maharashtra local bodies elections stalled since 2022.
2. The decision addresses political representation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
3. The case involves petitions against 27% OBC reservation based on the J.K. Banthia Commission report.
4. Reservation exceeded 50% in 40 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats.
5. Elections will proceed, but results in areas exceeding 50% reservation are subject to court's final decision.
6. The case will be heard by a three-judge Bench on January 21, 2026.
7. Elections can begin for 29 municipal corporations, 32 zilla panchayats, and 336 panchayat samitis, with reservation capped at 50%.