Gram Panchayat polls end in Telangana with BRS posting major gains

The three-phase Gram Panchayat elections in Telangana concluded with BRS-backed candidates registering significant gains across the State, boosting party morale ahead of ZPTC and MPTC polls, even as the Congress faced notable setbacks in rural areas.

Hyderabad: The closely contested Gram Panchayat elections concluded on Wednesday and, undeterred by threats allegedly issued by Congress MLAs and what the BRS described as atrocities by ruling party leaders, BRS-backed candidates emerged victorious as Sarpanches and Ward Members across the State.

Despite the ruling Congress party allegedly using money and muscle power at several places, voters extended support to BRS-backed candidates, the party claimed.

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Of the 12,728 Gram Panchayats in the State, 1,205 Sarpanches were elected unanimously. Elections were conducted for 11,497 panchayats in three phases. According to claims made by political parties, the Congress won 6,874 panchayats, the BRS secured 3,994 panchayats, while the BJP won 666 panchayats. The prohibitory orders issued in connection with the third phase of elections elapsed at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Though Gram Panchayat elections are contested by individuals without formal party affiliations, the ruling Congress party reportedly suffered a major setback, with family members and relatives of several Congress MPs and MLAs losing the elections.

The results have also boosted the morale of the BRS cadre, which is now gearing up for the ensuing ZPTC and MPTC elections.

Ever since the notification for the Gram Panchayat and Ward Member elections was issued, ruling Congress MLAs and leaders allegedly made repeated attempts to influence voters.

Wanaparthy MLA T Megha Reddy, Jadcherla MLA J Anirudh Reddy, Government Whip and Alair MLA Beerla Ilaiah, along with a few others, were accused of openly warning voters that if they elected BRS-supported candidates, funds would not be released to such panchayats.

They also allegedly threatened that if BRS-backed candidates won, requisitions for roads and other development works would not be approved.

However, undeterred by these threats and warnings, voters elected several BRS-backed candidates as Sarpanches and Ward Members. In a few places in Nagarkurnool, Mancherial and other districts, villagers reportedly obstructed Congress leaders from distributing money and questioned them about the six guarantees promised during the Assembly elections.