Congress braces for second phase of panchayat polls amid setbacks, public anger

As second-phase gram panchayat polling approaches, Congress leaders face voter anger and internal discomfort after setbacks in key villages during the first phase. With 3,911 sarpanch posts at stake on Sunday, protests erupted again as villagers questioned unfulfilled poll promises

Hyderabad: After an intensely fought first phase of gram panchayat elections, attention now turns to the second phase, for which campaigning ended on Friday.

The second phase, scheduled for Sunday, will see polls for 3,911 sarpanch posts and 29,903 ward member posts. The State Election Commission had issued notifications for 4,333 sarpanch and 38,322 ward member posts, but 415 sarpanches and 8,304 ward members were elected unanimously.

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Polling will be held from 7 am to 1 pm, with counting beginning at 2 pm.

Following the BRS-backed candidates’ strong performance in crucial villages, Congress MLAs and MPs campaigned intensively in their constituencies on Friday. Their efforts came after several family members and close relatives of MLAs and MPs lost in the first phase, a point the BRS has highlighted while alleging that the ruling party attempted to influence voters using money and muscle power.

Despite the Congress leadership’s claim of winning a majority of sarpanch and ward member posts, the defeat of party-backed candidates in many of its perceived strongholds has caused unease within the party.

Public dissatisfaction was further evident as Minister Seethakka and several MLAs were confronted by villagers during the first phase, a situation repeated on Friday when Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao and other Congress MLAs faced protests while campaigning for the second phase.

In several villages, residents questioned Congress leaders about the promises made during the 2023 Assembly elections.