The Congress party has announced its intention to file an appeal in the Supreme Court following a ruling from the Madhya Pradesh High Court that invalidated a reservation of 27 per cent for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the state. This decision, issued on Friday, deemed the 2019 legislation unconstitutional, citing the Supreme Court’s earlier directive regarding a 50 per cent cap on reservations.

Party leaders expressed concerns over the handling of the case by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, alleging incompetence in presenting adequate evidence during the legal proceedings. They believe that the outcome reflected a failure of the state to defend its policy sufficiently.

Lending their voices to this issue, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari and Opposition Leader Umang Singhar addressed a press conference where they outlined the party’s strategy moving forward. Patwari confirmed that the Congress would engage senior legal professionals, including Kapil Sibal and Vivek Tankha, in their legal efforts to overturn the High Court’s verdict.

Concerns Over Govt’s Representation in Court

Patwari articulated his disappointment with the BJP administration, which he accused of misusing state resources in legal battles without achieving positive results for the OBC community. He called for the government to clarify its ineffective representation during court proceedings.

Singhar further challenged the BJP’s approach, highlighting what he saw as unacceptable reliance on outdated data and a limited survey sample to evaluate the social conditions of a state with a vast population of approximately 7.26 crore. He questioned the rationale behind the data collection methods and urged for accountability from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav regarding the failings in presenting the case effectively to the court.

The Congress leaders demanded a thorough response from the government regarding the strategies employed in court. Singhar cited the 159-page High Court order, reinforcing the necessity of appropriate and current data to support claims regarding OBC reservation needs.

Congress’s Commitment to OBC Rights

In light of the recent developments, Patwari reaffirmed the Congress party’s commitment to establishing a 27 per cent reservation for OBCs should they secure a majority in the upcoming 2028 Assembly elections. He urged leaders from the OBC community to unify and exert pressure on the government to address this critical issue.

The party emphasised the necessity of a transparent and actionable plan from the Yadav government to secure the demanded quota, insisting that active steps must be taken to bolster OBC rights within Madhya Pradesh. While the Congress party prepares to contest the court’s ruling, the BJP has remained vocal in its defence of the original decision.

It suggests that the documents prepared under the previous Congress-led administration lacked thorough verification and were hastily assembled. This legal challenge initiated by the Congress marks a significant escalation in the ongoing debate surrounding OBC reservation in Madhya Pradesh.

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