A week after they met to find a solution to restoring the OBC reservation in local bodies, major political parties in the state deliberated on the issue again on Friday. A difference of opinion persisted this time as well, with some hell-bent on asking the Centre for the empirical data. They were, however, also in agreement with the majority view that the state’s backward class commission (BCC) should also be asked to collect the data required as early as possible to reinstate the reservation.

There was unanimity on postponing the elections, scheduled for February next and throughout 2022, if the quota wasn’t restored. But, since the state government can recommend to the state election commission only in exceptional cases, and the absence of OBC quota isn’t a formidable excuse that can be given to delay the elections, the COVID-19 situation is most likely to be a strong reason to postpone the polls till the data comes in, either from the Centre or BCC.