Did Congress-backed candidates secure over 53% of Gram Panchayats in Telangana?
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Synopsis
In a remarkable electoral performance, Congress-backed candidates have dominated the Gram Panchayat elections in Telangana, securing over 53% of Sarpanch posts across various districts. This victory marks a significant milestone for the party, demonstrating its ongoing influence in the region amidst tough competition.
Key Takeaways
- Congress secured over 53% of Sarpanch posts.
- BRS followed with 27.64% of Gram Panchayats.
- Newly elected Sarpanches will take charge on December 22.
- Over 80% voter turnout was recorded.
- Future elections will address the reservation for Backward Classes.
Hyderabad, Dec 18 (NationPress) The ruling party in Telangana, Congress, has successfully captured more than 53 percent of the Sarpanch positions during the recent Gram Panchayat elections conducted in three phases.
In the final phase, held on December 17, the party maintained its stronghold, achieving a decisive majority.
From the 4,159 Gram Panchayats that were open for voting in the third phase, candidates supported by Congress emerged victorious in 2,246 Gram Panchayats.
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) provided formidable competition, securing 1,163 Sarpanch posts, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lagged behind with only 246 seats. Independents and other candidates claimed 491 seats.
Except for Siddipet, Congress-backed candidates dominated the remaining 30 districts.
In total, the State Election Commission (SEC) notified elections for 12,727 Gram Panchayats across all three phases, with Congress candidates winning 6,822 (53.60 percent) of them.
BRS secured 3,519 Gram Panchayats (27.64 percent), while BJP candidates managed to win only 703 Gram Panchayats (5.52 percent), and Independents along with others obtained 1,654 seats (12.99 percent).
With several Independents pledging allegiance to Congress, the ruling party asserted that it has gained control over two-thirds of the Sarpanch positions.
Congress achieved a significant majority in districts including Nalgonda, Khammam, Bhadradri, Hanamkonda, Jagtial, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mahabubabad, Mahabubnagar, Macherial, Nagarkurnool, Nizamabad, Peddapalli, Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Suryapet, Vikarabad, Kamareddy, and Yadadri.
The SEC had issued a notification for elections concerning 12,728 Sarpanch posts and 1,12,242 Ward Members across 564 mandals.
A total of 1,205 sarpanches were elected unopposed, while no nominations were received in 21 Gram Panchayats. Elections could not be held for five Sarpanch posts due to ongoing court stays.
Voting took place for the remaining 11,497 Sarpanches across three phases, with Upa-Sarpanches being elected by the newly chosen Ward Members.
A remarkable 25,848 Ward Members were elected unanimously. No nominations were filed in 393 wards, and elections for 46 Ward Members could not be conducted due to legal delays. The remaining 85,955 Ward Members were elected in three phases.
There were 38,394 candidates for Sarpanch positions, while 2,12,251 candidates vied for Ward Member roles.
Participation was noteworthy, with over 80 percent of 1.66 crore voters casting their ballots throughout all phases.
The SEC will soon decide on 26 Panchayats and 439 Wards where elections could not take place.
The newly elected Sarpanches will officially assume their roles on December 22.
The state government aimed to conduct these elections as a Rs 3,000 crore grant from the Centre is set to expire by March 31, 2026.
Future elections for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs), and municipal corporations will occur following the High Court's final determination regarding the 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs).
In October, the High Court annulled a government order providing 42 percent reservation for BCs in local bodies, yet permitted the elections to proceed with a 50 percent cap on total reservations for all demographics.
Point of View
The results of the Telangana Gram Panchayat elections reflect the shifting dynamics of local governance. Congress's ability to secure a majority indicates a strong grassroots support, while the competition from BRS and BJP signifies a vibrant political landscape. These elections are pivotal in understanding regional power shifts and their implications on state-level governance.
NationPress
18/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Gram Panchayat posts did Congress secure?
Congress secured over 53% of the Sarpanch posts in the recent elections.
How many districts did Congress win in Telangana?
Congress achieved a majority in 30 districts, except for Siddipet.
When will the newly elected Sarpanches take charge?
The newly elected Sarpanches will assume their roles on December 22.
What was the voter turnout in the elections?
More than 80% of 1.66 crore voters participated in the elections.
What is the significance of these elections?
These elections reflect the political landscape in Telangana and are crucial for local governance.
