After the Congress government submitted an ordinance seeking 42 per cent reservations for the Backward Classes in local bodies, the next move now depends on Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, who is expected to consult legal experts before making a decision.

There is a possibility that the governor may examine whether it is legally correct to issue an ordinance when a bill on the same subject has already been passed by the state assembly. Usually, an ordinance is followed by a bill to turn it into law through the legislature. But in this case, the assembly has already passed a separate bill related to BC reservations, and the ordinance instead amends a different law, the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act 2018, to make its implementation possible.

Once the governor gives his approval, the government will be allowed to issue a special order to implement 42 per cent quota for BCs in panchayats and other local bodies. Officials remain optimistic that the governor will approve it as they believe the amendment is legally valid.

However, political opposition has already begun. Former BRS Minister, Srinivas Goud, said the ordinance is not legally sustainable because similar efforts during the BRS government were challenged in court. He said, "Since a bill has already been passed, an ordinance on the same issue is not valid."

Legal experts have pointed out that if the governor denies approval, it could lead to a serious political clash between Congress and the BJP, and could also affect the larger discussion around reservations in the state.