Congress reconsiders MPTC, ZPTC polls amid local body setback

The Congress government in Telangana is reassessing its approach to MPTC and ZPTC elections amid rural discontent and electoral setbacks. With polls delayed, the government is exploring structural changes, including indirect elections, though constitutional hurdles remain

Hyderabad: The Congress government in Telangana appears to be recalibrating its local body election strategy after underwhelming electoral performance and growing rural discontent. Though the government was expected to take a decision on holding MPTC and ZPTC elections during the Cabinet meeting on Monday, the issue was not taken up for reasons unknown.

With the tenure of MPTC and ZPTC bodies ending in June 2024 and nearly 19 months having passed without elections, aspirants remain in limbo. While there was initial buzz about holding Parishad polls before mid-March, the government is now said to be considering postponing them until after June.

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Under these circumstances, the Congress government is reportedly exploring a more radical option of abolishing the MPTC and ZPTC system altogether. A detailed report has been sought from the Panchayat Raj Department. Though the matter was expected to be discussed in the Cabinet meeting, sources said it did not materialise.

The official rationale is centred on administrative efficiency, with the argument that MPTCs and ZPTCs lack clear functional authority, impose financial burdens, and trigger frequent election codes. The proposal under consideration involves reducing the existing five-tier structure to a three-tier system and moving from direct to indirect elections for MPPs and ZP chairpersons.

However, the move faces significant constitutional hurdles. The three-tier Panchayat Raj framework is mandated under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. Legal experts caution that a State cannot unilaterally dismantle this structure without a constitutional amendment by Parliament. Any attempt to do so through a State resolution or ordinance could invite legal challenges.

If the constitutional amendments are inevitable, official sources said the Panchayat Raj Department was also asked to examine the possibility of indirect elections where sarpanches and ward members elect MPPs and ZP chairpersons, without direct elections involving people.

Critics are raising suspicions over the timing of the proposal, arguing that electoral setbacks and rural backlash have prompted the Congress to have second thoughts about facing voters at the mandal and district levels.

Despite retaining control on majority urban local bodies in the recent municipal polls and also previously in gram panchayat elections, the underwhelming performance is learnt to have triggered concern within the Congress ranks. Feedback reportedly suggested stronger anti-incumbency in rural areas, particularly over non-implementation of key electoral promises.