Villagers catch Congress leaders distributing cash, sarees ahead of elections

Ahead of the third phase of gram panchayat elections in Telangana, villagers in Nagarkurnool and Mancherial districts reportedly intercepted Congress leaders attempting to distribute cash and saris. Polling will be held from 7 am to 1 pm, followed by counting at 2 pm.

Hyderabad: Ahead of the third phase of gram panchayat elections scheduled to be held on Wednesday, residents of a few villages reportedly caught Congress leaders attempting to distribute money and sarees.

In Ghanpur village under Nagarkurnool district limits, villagers intercepted a vehicle belonging to Congress leaders in which sarees and cash were allegedly being transported. Acting on what they described as reliable information, the villagers stopped the vehicle and lodged a complaint with the police, reports said.

---

The villagers also demanded that the vehicle be seized. Following this, the local police reportedly took the vehicle to the police station. In a similar incident, residents of Bapuraopeta village in Mancherial obstructed Congress leaders from distributing money and demanded that they leave the village.

According to reports, a few Congress leaders had visited the village to seek support from residents for the sarpanch elections. During the visit, they allegedly attempted to distribute money, which drew sharp objections from villagers. The residents questioned the leaders over Indiramma Houses and other promises made during the Assembly elections.

The villagers expressed anger that not a single Indiramma House had been sanctioned in the village, the reports said.

Meanwhile, all arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the third phase of gram panchayat elections in the State. Of the 4,159 gram panchayats and 36,452 ward member posts notified for elections, 394 sarpanches and 7,908 ward members were elected unanimously.

On Wednesday, elections will be held for 3,752 gram panchayats and 28,410 ward member posts. As many as 53,06,401 voters, including 26,01,861 men and 27,04,394 women, are expected to exercise their franchise at 36,483 polling stations.

Polling will be held from 7 am to 1 pm, and counting of votes will commence from 2 pm onwards. The results will be declared accordingly.