- (1.) LEAVE granted
(2.) THE appeal is allowed in terms of the signed order. There shall be no order as to costs. Respondents filed Writ Petition No. 19800/2001 before the High Court of Andhra Pradesh for declaration that the reservation to the post of President of Mandal Parishad, Singareni in favour of backward class women as illegal being contrary to the A.P. Panchayat Raj Act 7 of 1988 and Article 243D and 243M of the Constitution of India and consequently to declare the election of the appellant as illegal. The original Petitioners belonged to Scheduled Tribe category and are residents of village under Singareni Mandal which has got 13 territorial constituencies. According to them, theentire Singareni Mandal, except Singareni Village falls inscheduled area. In the petition, it was contended that the post of President of Mandal Parishad ought to have been reserved in favour of the Scheduled tribes and not in favour of any other class.
(3.) ADMITTEDLY , respondents have not challenged the validity of the State Legislation or Rules framed thereunder.;