BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a resolution in complete accord, stating that the state will not have panchayat polls without reservation for other backward classes (OBCs). The resolution was proposed in the house by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh.
The decision came after Supreme Court stay put on the poll process on seats that are reserved for OBCs in panchayats and demanded denotification of these seats as general category seats. CM Chouhan stated that it is irrational to not have reservations made for such a large community. The state government is working jointly for the welfare of all the communities which is inclusive of scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, OBC or the general population.
The first phase of panchayat elections in the state was set to take place on January 6, in six districts followed by voting on January 28, in nine other districts. The remaining 36 districts were scheduled to vote on February 13.