Will Telangana Announce Local Body Polls Schedule by June-End?
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Synopsis
The countdown begins as Telangana's Revenue Minister confirms the local body elections schedule will be disclosed by month-end. This pivotal announcement follows a Cabinet meeting, addressing the urgency and implications for local governance. Stay tuned as the political landscape prepares for a transformative electoral battle!
Key Takeaways
- The Telangana local body elections are set to be announced by the end of June.
- Initial elections will focus on MPTCs and ZPTCs.
- The ruling Congress party is preparing to contest with high-potential candidates.
- Financial support for farmers is on the way under government welfare schemes.
- Delays in elections have drawn criticism from opposition parties, highlighting governance concerns.
Hyderabad, June 15 (NationPress) The timeline for local body elections in Telangana is set to be revealed by the end of this month, as stated by Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy on Sunday.
The upcoming state Cabinet meeting, scheduled for Monday, will deliberate on this matter and reach a definitive conclusion.
During a media interaction in Khammam, the minister indicated that the initial phase will involve elections for the Mandal Parishad Territorial Committees (MPTCs) and the Zilla Parishad Territorial Committees (ZPTCs). Following this, elections for the positions of sarpanches and municipal representatives will take place.
With only 15 days remaining until the poll schedule is unveiled, Srinivasa Reddy urged the ruling Congress party members to prepare for the electoral contest. He assured that the party would nominate candidates who have a strong chance of winning.
The minister emphasized the importance of local leaders in communicating various welfare initiatives launched by the government over the past 16-17 months to the public.
Additionally, Srinivasa Reddy revealed that financial support under the ‘Rythu Bharosa’ scheme and bonuses for premium rice varieties would be deposited into farmers' bank accounts within a week.
The elections for local bodies faced delays as the Congress government awaited the results of the caste survey. Organizations representing Backward Castes (BC) have been advocating for the elections to be postponed until the BC reservation is increased to 42 percent, as promised by Congress during their campaign.
The state Assembly has already approved a bill to boost BC reservations in local bodies to 42 percent and has forwarded it to the Centre for approval.
The terms of gram panchayats concluded on January 31 last year, and the Zilla Parishads' terms ended in July.
BJP leader Boora Narsaiah Goud criticized the Congress government on Saturday for not conducting local body elections even after 18 months in power. He claimed that the ongoing delay has impeded development efforts, as gram panchayats depend on funding from the Central Finance Commission.
The BJP leader noted that the terms of 12,769 sarpanches expired in January last year, 5,717 MPTC members in May, and 538 ZPTCs, MPPs, and ZPTC chairpersons approximately a year ago. He also highlighted that 128 out of 130 municipalities completed their terms six months ago.
Point of View
The delay in local body elections in Telangana raises questions about governance and accountability. With pressing demands from citizens and political parties alike, it’s crucial that the state government navigates this situation with transparency and urgency. The upcoming elections will be a litmus test for the ruling Congress party and its commitment to fulfilling promises made to the electorate.
NationPress
15/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the local body election schedule be announced?
The schedule for local body elections in Telangana is expected to be announced by the end of June.
What types of elections will be conducted first?
The initial elections will be for the Mandal Parishad Territorial Committees (MPTCs) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Committees (ZPTCs).
Why were the local body elections delayed?
The elections were postponed due to the Congress government's wait for the results of a caste survey and demands for increasing BC reservations.
What assistance will farmers receive soon?
Farmers will receive financial aid under the ‘Rythu Bharosa’ scheme and bonuses for quality rice varieties within a week.
What has the BJP said regarding the delay in elections?
BJP leader Boora Narsaiah Goud criticized the Congress government for the prolonged delay, stating it has hindered development work.
