Did Congress Secure Over 50% of Seats in the Second Phase of Telangana Panchayat Elections?
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Synopsis
In a significant electoral outcome, Congress has secured over 50% of the seats in the second phase of Telangana's Panchayat polls. This pivotal victory underscores the party's growing influence. The BRS has also shown remarkable improvement, positioning itself as a formidable challenger to the ruling party, setting the stage for an engaging political landscape ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Congress secured over 50% of Sarpanch seats in Telangana's second phase of elections.
- BRS showed improved performance, becoming a strong contender against the ruling party.
- Voter turnout was remarkably high at 85.86%.
- Third phase of elections is scheduled for December 17.
- Reservations for Backward Classes remain under judicial review.
Hyderabad, Dec 15 (NationPress) The Congress party has successfully captured over half of the Gram Panchayats during the second phase of the rural local body elections in Telangana. Meanwhile, the main opposition party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), showcased improved performance, challenging the ruling party effectively.
In this phase, out of 4,333 Sarpanch positions up for election, candidates supported by Congress clinched 2,245 seats, representing 51.81 percent.
The BRS followed in second place with 1,188 seats, marking a notable enhancement in their performance compared to the first phase.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lagged behind in third with only 268 seats, while Independents and other candidates secured 624 seats.
Polling took place on Sunday for 3,911 Sarpanch posts and 29,917 Ward Member positions across 193 mandals.
Of the 54,40,339 registered voters, an impressive 85.86 percent (46,70,972 individuals) exercised their right to vote, determining the outcomes for 12,782 Sarpanch and 71,071 Ward Member candidates.
For this second electoral phase, the State Election Commission (SEC) issued a notification for 4,333 Sarpanch posts and 38,350 Ward Member positions. Notably, elections were uncontested for 415 Sarpanch and 8,307 Ward Member candidates, while no nominations were submitted for 108 Ward Member posts.
Voting was not conducted in two Gram Panchayats and 18 Wards.
The counting of votes commenced at 2 p.m. after polls concluded at 1 p.m.
Across all districts, Congress gained a majority, except in Siddipet, Komaram Bheem, Jangaon, and Nirmal, where BRS emerged as the leader. The BJP secured the highest number of seats in Nirmal. In total, the ruling party captured the majority in 27 districts.
In areas where Sarpanch positions were tied, winners were determined by a draw. In fact, five candidates won Sarpanch elections by just a single vote.
Across both phases, Congress-backed candidates have won a total of 4,579 out of 8,568 Panchayat posts. The BRS followed with 2,357 seats, while the BJP managed to take only 457 seats, and Independents and others collectively secured 1,162 seats.
The initial phase of elections occurred on December 11, where 3,834 Sarpanches, 27,346 Ward Members, and 3,347 Upa Sarpanches were elected. Among the 56,19,430 registered voters, 45,15,141 participated, reflecting an 84.28 percent turnout.
Mahesh Kumar Goud, president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), stated that the results from this second phase underscore the public's faith in the Congress government.
Ponnam Prabhakar, Minister for Transport and BC Welfare, urged citizens to back the Congress candidate in the upcoming third phase to foster village development.
According to the notification from the SEC issued last month, the third phase is scheduled for December 17.
Future elections for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs), and municipal corporations will follow the High Court's final decision regarding a 42 percent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs). In an October ruling, the High Court annulled a government order granting 42 percent reservation for BCs in local bodies but permitted elections to proceed, capping total reservations for all categories at 50 percent.
Point of View
The recent Panchayat polls in Telangana reveal shifting political dynamics. The Congress party's significant win indicates a growing trust among voters, while the BRS's improved performance suggests a competitive political landscape. It highlights the evolving priorities of the electorate, which political parties must heed moving forward.
NationPress
15/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of seats did Congress win in the second phase?
Congress-backed candidates won 51.81% of the seats, totaling 2,245 out of 4,333 Sarpanch positions.
How did the BRS perform in comparison to the first phase?
The BRS improved its performance in the second phase, securing 1,188 seats compared to its results in the first phase.
What was the voter turnout for this election phase?
The voter turnout was 85.86%, with 46,70,972 out of 54,40,339 registered voters casting their votes.
When is the third phase of elections scheduled?
The third phase of elections is scheduled for December 17.
What is the current status of reservations for Backward Classes in local bodies?
The High Court struck down a government order providing 42% reservations for BCs but allowed elections with a 50% cap on total reservations.
