Govt may advance local polls in Telangana amid early monsoon, kharif sowing
Hyderabad: With the monsoon arriving 15 days ahead of schedule and kharif sowing already underway, the Congress govt is considering advancing the
panchayat elections
, originally planned for the end of July.
The elections, likely to be held in two phases, will be the first major political test for chief minister A Revanth Reddy after the assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Sensing an opportunity to consolidate its rural base, the Congress is moving swiftly. It aims to cover all eligible farmers with Rythu Bharosa financial aid, clear pending gram panchayat bills, and roll out Rajiv Vikasam self-employment assistance to rural youth.
The govt has already extended 21,000 crore in interest-free loans to women's self-help groups—primarily in rural areas—a key constituency in these elections.
Though panchayat polls are technically non-party contests, they are fought fiercely along party lines. With 12,800 gram panchayats and over 1.2 lakh ward seats up for grabs, the Congress is keen to send a strong message to both the BJP and BRS by aiming to win 70–80% of the seats.
A senior Congress leader said the party will support 42% of gram panchayat candidates from the BC community, in line with CM Revanth's promise made during the passage of the two bills providing 42% reservation for BCs in education, employment, and local bodies. "We will tell voters that the (Narendra) Modi govt is stalling the BC bills and highlight the BRS's internal rifts. Local-level alliances may be left to candidates depending on ground realities," the leader added.
Under the Panchayat Raj Act, the State Election Commission requires formal consent from the state govt to conduct elections. This approval depends on the state govt's ability to provide adequate police deployment and logistical support to ensure free and fair elections.
The Congress is also banking on organisational readiness. Party sources say the AICC is expected to finalise all new TPCC teams, including working presidents, vice-presidents, general secretaries, and campaign committee members, before the panchayat poll schedule is announced.
Appointments at the district, block, mandal, and village levels are also in the pipeline.
Meanwhile, nearly 2,000 crore in central grants under the Finance Commission has been withheld due to the absence of elected local bodies. Conducting these polls could unlock those funds, adding further urgency to the Congress's electoral push.
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