Young sarpanches dominate gram panchayat polls in Medak

The gram panchayat elections in erstwhile Medak district have marked a generational shift, with nearly 64 per cent of elected sarpanches aged below 40. While older candidates once dominated, voters now prefer younger and educated leaders, believing they can deliver more effectively.

Sangareddy: Youngsters have got the backing of voters in gram panchayat elections that were held in three phases across the district.

Out of 1,613 gram panchayats in erstwhile Medak district, as many as 1,029 sapranches were aged below 40 years which amounts to nearly 64 per cent.

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Interestingly, only 12 persons of the total elected sarpanches were aged above 70 years while only 54 sarpanches were aged 60 and above. Of the total, 252 sarpanches were below 30 years and 21 of them were aged between 21 and 25.

Since the voters were of the opinion that the youngsters would deliver far more effectively than their older rivals in the election fray, the youngsters had won more elections.

The middle-aged candidates (40-50 years) had also found some support from the voters since they carry a bit of experience. They bagged some 376 sarpanch posts which amounts to little over 30 per cent.

Meanwhile, the educated also got the backing of the voters as nearly 30 per cent of total elected sarpanches in erstwhile Medak district were graduates.

Until a few elections ago, the voters used to elect the older people since they used to keep faith in their experience. Geetha Patil of Nagapur in Narayankhed mandal was elected as sarpanch of the village at the age of 23.

Interestingly, she has exercised her franchise for the first time in panchayat elections though she voted in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

Similarly, several first time voters also were voted to power by rural voters. Most of the ward members were also of a relatively young age group which also indicated that the youngsters have started showing interest in politics unlike the youngsters a decade ago.