Congress faces internal friction over Telangana local body elections

The Telangana Congress is grappling with multiple challenges ahead of local body elections, including pending BC reservations, irregularities in welfare schemes, land acquisition protests, and internal differences among leaders, leading to widespread apprehension about the party's poll preparedness

Hyderabad: Despite being in power and relying on the timely release of Rythu Bharosa assistance to farmers this season, the Telangana Congress appears unsure about the upcoming local body elections due to several underlying issues.

At each meeting, the state leadership urges MLAs, MPs, and other public representatives to prepare for the elections and ensure the party’s success. However, many leaders remain apprehensive.

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A key issue is the government’s failure to implement 42 percent political reservations for Backward Classes in local body polls. While the Congress is pushing for these reservations and attempting to pressure the opposition to support the move, internal doubts persist.

Last week, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said the local body election notification could be issued by the end of the month. This statement did not go down well with TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud, who indirectly criticised the minister for overstepping, pointing out that the reservation issue was still being heard in court.

Additionally, the Congress government was unable to release Rythu Bharosa benefits to all farmers last season. As a result, many leaders faced backlash from constituents. Although this season’s disbursement has been more timely, several farmers—particularly in areas within the Outer Ring Road and newly merged municipalities—are protesting, claiming they have yet to receive the assistance.

Concerns also remain about the distribution of Indiramma houses. Allegations suggest that party workers received preferential treatment, and there have been tragic reports of denied beneficiaries dying by suicide. In several cases, names initially included in beneficiary lists were later removed without explanation.

In many districts, including Rangareddy, Vikarabad, Jogulamba Gadwal, Narayanpet, Adilabad, and Nalgonda, farmers are protesting land acquisition for industrial projects, citing threats to livelihoods and environmental risks.

Meanwhile, the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme, announced to launch on June 2, failed to take off as scheduled. Despite earlier assurances that sanction letters would be issued, there has been no official clarification regarding the delay, further adding to the party’s credibility concerns.