Jaipur: Rajasthan’s Panchayat elections have been thrown into uncertainty after the State Commission for Other Backward Classes (OBC) formally directed the State Election Commission to halt the polls until a comprehensive study on OBC reservation is completed. The directive comes in line with the Supreme Court’s mandate requiring a dedicated process to determine the nature and extent of backwardness among OBC communities before finalizing ward reservations.
According to the Commission’s letter, the study will evaluate OBC representation across every Panchayati Raj institution and urban local body in the state. Based on the findings, the Commission will recommend the exact number of wards to be reserved for OBCs at each administrative level.
Surveys and consultations are already underway. Officials confirmed that data is being gathered through interactions with local institutions, political representatives, and academic experts to ensure the report reflects ground realities. “It is a massive exercise aimed at ensuring fair representation to OBC communities as per constitutional provisions,” a senior official from the Commission said.
The State OBC Commission, originally set up in May with a three-month deadline, has now been granted an extension until November 22. This extension came just a day before the Commission’s original term expired, signaling the government’s intent to complete the process thoroughly rather than rushing into polls.
As per the Supreme Court’s directives, elections cannot be conducted until this reservation exercise is completed. This effectively pushes Panchayat polls to December 2025 or later, since final ward allotments must be announced before polling dates can be declared.
The decision has also triggered political ripples. While the State Election Commission had earlier issued guidelines for the Panchayat polls, it now has to wait for the OBC report before moving forward. BJP leaders, including Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore, have meanwhile revived the call for “One State, One Election” to streamline electoral processes across the state.
