In a legislative session charged with ambition, resistance, and rare consensus, Telangana’s Budget Session for 2025-26 concluded with a flurry of landmark decisions that may shape the state’s political and social landscape for years to come. From historic reservation laws to fiery face-offs between the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS, the session was less a routine affair and more a political theatre of high stakes.
The budget—a mammoth Rs 3.05 lakh crore—was tabled and passed under the stewardship of Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. While the numbers received their share of attention, it was the flurry of bills and the tone of the debates that made headlines.
Today’s Telangana budget is nothing but a ‘bag’ full
— Dr.RS Praveen Kumar (@RSPraveenSwaero) March 19, 2025
of fallacies, not policies. My quick analysis is in the video below pic.twitter.com/1ixvMJ8qay
New Power Equations: The Backward Classes Bill and SC Rationalisation
- 42% reservations for Backward Classes across education, employment, and governance
- Classification of 59 Scheduled Castes for more “rational” reservation distribution
- Rare unanimous support from all political parties
A political tightrope was walked with poise when the Telangana Assembly passed the Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Local Bodies) Bill, 2025. The legislation, granting 42% reservation for BCs in education, employment, and local governance, was hailed by supporters as a long-overdue correction of systemic imbalances.
Parallelly, the Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Bill sought to reorder the 59 SC communities into categories, triggering both praise for its precision and concerns over potential intra-community hierarchies.
The opposition BRS did not obstruct these bills, choosing instead to lend unanimous support—a rare sight in a session otherwise marked by frequent partisan clashes. Political observers suggest the bills could signal a new reservation regime in the country if adopted as a model by other states.
Disruptions, Suspensions, and Delimitations: BRS vs Congress
- BRS MLA G. Jagadish Reddy suspended for the entire session
- Heated exchanges between K.T. Rama Rao, T. Harish Rao, and CM Revanth Reddy
- Resolution passed opposing population-based delimitation; demand for seat expansion to 153
Despite moments of bipartisan unity, the session was far from harmonious. On just the second day, BRS legislator G. Jagadish Reddy was suspended for “disrespecting the Speaker,” setting the tone for confrontational debates that followed.
The rivalry between BRS leaders K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao, and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, took center stage, often leading to pointed arguments that exposed deeper ideological rifts. Yet, the Assembly found collective ground in passing a resolution that urged the Centre to oppose population-based delimitation—a move seen as protecting the interests of southern states with lower population growth.
This resolution also demanded that the number of seats in the Assembly be raised from 119 to 153, aligning with the AP Reorganisation Act. While the Centre’s response is awaited, the move has sparked wider debates about regional representation and electoral fairness.
Urban Reforms and Human Rights: Underreported but Vital Bills
- Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act and amendments adopted
- Telangana Municipalities and Panchayat Raj Acts amended to allow new, merged, and upgraded local bodies
- Signal towards a more decentralised and medically responsive state governance model
Lurking beneath the louder political narratives were bills with potentially transformative consequences. The Assembly approved amendments to the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, aligning with central regulations and setting the stage for a more ethically compliant and transparent organ donation system.
Meanwhile, changes to the Municipalities and Panchayat Raj Acts now allow for merging, upgrading, or creation of new local bodies. This could pave the way for more efficient governance at the grassroots level—especially in peri-urban and rural belts grappling with outdated administrative boundaries.
These measures might not have made front-page news, but they signal a structural re-imagination of Telangana’s local governance and healthcare systems.
Political Optics or People’s Progress? The Session in Perspective
- Congress asserts a proactive governance stance ahead of political calendar
- BRS balances critique with strategic cooperation on key social justice bills
- Citizens and policy analysts await on-ground implementation and Centre’s reaction
To its credit, the Congress-led government used this session to push forward a governance narrative centered around inclusivity, reform, and administrative renewal. The swift passage of socially impactful bills, alongside technical amendments, marks a decisive attempt to shape the discourse ahead of electoral milestones.
The BRS, while adversarial on procedural and political fronts, offered tacit support on landmark legislation—perhaps aware that opposition for opposition’s sake would backfire among its core voter base.
However, passing laws is the easy part. Whether Telangana can implement these reforms without triggering unintended bureaucratic bottlenecks or social tensions remains the bigger question. For now, though, the Assembly has set the wheels of change in motion.
FAQ
1. What was the total budget approved by the Telangana Assembly for 2025-26?
Rs 3.05 lakh crore was approved in the Appropriation Bill passed during the Budget Session.
2. What is the Telangana Backward Classes Reservation Bill, 2025?
It grants 42% reservations to BCs in education, employment, and local governance institutions.
3. What does the Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Bill aim to do?
It categorizes 59 SC castes to improve the allocation and targeting of reservation benefits.
4. Why was BRS MLA G. Jagadish Reddy suspended?
He was suspended for the entire session on March 13 for alleged disrespect to the Speaker.
5. What is the population-based delimitation resolution about?
The Assembly passed a resolution opposing delimitation based on population and demanded an increase in seats from 119 to 153 as per the AP Reorganisation Act.
6. Which health-related law was amended during the session?
The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act and its 2011 amendment were adopted with state-specific regulations.
7. What changes were made to urban and rural governance laws?
Amendments to the Telangana Municipalities and Panchayat Raj Acts now allow for the creation, merging, or upgrading of local bodies.
8. Was there cross-party support for the key social justice bills?
Yes, the Assembly witnessed rare unanimity across party lines for the BC and SC reservation bills.
