Gujarat local body polls: Supreme Court to hear plea on 27% OBC quota today

A crucial hearing on the OBC reservation issue ahead of Gujarat’s upcoming local body elections is set to take place in the Supreme Court on April 10, with the matter likely to have a significant impact on the poll process.

The plea, filed by Patidar leader Dinesh Bambhania, challenges the state government’s decision to implement 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in panchayats, municipalities, and municipal corporations. The petitioner has also sought a stay on the election process until the concerns over reservation are addressed.

The matter will be heard by a bench led by the Chief Justice of India. The petition raises key constitutional questions, particularly whether the mandatory “triple test” laid down by the Supreme Court for determining OBC reservation in local bodies has been followed.

It also questions whether the total reservation, including SC, ST, and OBC categories, breaches the 50% cap set by the court. Additionally, concerns have been raised over the validity and application of the Justice Jhaveri Commission report, which formed the basis for seat allocation under the current reservation framework.

The State Election Commission has already initiated preparations to conduct elections across 15 municipal corporations and other local bodies later in April 2026. However, the petitioner has argued that elections should not proceed until discrepancies in the reservation structure are resolved.

In certain PESA areas, the OBC reservation continues to remain capped at 10%, further adding complexity to the issue.

With the elections approaching, the Supreme Court’s decision is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the political and social landscape in Gujarat.