Local body polls: Revanth Reddy exhorts cadres to gear up; opposition skeptical, BC quota stumbling block

Hyderabad: Telangana is likely to hold local body polls after the rollout of farm loan waiver scheme.

During his recent visit to erstwhile Mahabubnagar district, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy asked Congress party functionaries to gear up as the government is keen to go ahead with local body polls.

The final bugle may be sounded soon after the rollout of the farm loan waiver in August.

Elections to 12,769 Gram Panchayats, 5857 MPTCs (Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies), and 539 ZPTCs (Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies) are due. Currently, Gram Panchayats are functioning under Special Officers after elected representatives' tenure ended in January. On the other hand, MPTCs and ZPTCs tenure ended a few days ago.

SEC is all prepared for an electoral fight

State Election Commission sources said they are fully prepared to conduct the elections once the government finalized the dates. Initially, the election will be held for Gram Panchayats (without party symbols) which will be followed by the elections for MPTCs and ZPTCs (on party symbols), however, both will not be held at the same time.

Unlike EVMs used in general elections, ballot papers will be used in the local body polls. Although political parties are not directly involved in Panchayat elections, they will throw their weight behind their supporters and sympathizers who will be in the poll fray.

BC quota issue to the forefront

Various BC Associations in Telangana are demanding the quota in local bodies be increased as the population of BCs in Telangana is more than 56 percent in the state. During assembly polls, Congress promised to enhance the BC quota in local bodies to 42 percent. Rahul Gandhi also promised a caste census in Telangana if Congress came to power. Revanth Reddy's government is also keen to implement the promise as it would help the administration design welfare schemes based on the population of various castes. However, this process would consume time, and the local body polls be kept on hold for it is the question.

In 1986 in the combined State, the then Chief Minister NT Rama Rao introduced 20 percent reservation for Backward Classes in local bodies. Later in 1993, it was increased to 34 percent by the Congress CM K Vijayabhaskar Reddy. It remained in vogue till 2019 when the KCR government brought down the reservations to 23 percent based on a Supreme Court judgment.

Local Elections

Gram Panchayats: 12,769

Ward members: 1,13,526

MPTCs: 5857

ZPTCs: 539

Previous polls held in 2019

It may be noted that the last Gram Panchayat and MPTC & ZPTC elections were held in 2019, but four months apart. The Gram Panchayat polls were held in January (January 21, 25 and 30) in three phases. More than 1.13 lakh polling booths were set up in 12,700 villages at that time. The elections were held from 7 am to 1 pm and counting was immediately taken up and results were declared the same day in each phase.

On the other hand, the elections to MPTCs and ZPTCs were also held in three phases in May (May 6, 10, and 14). Around 36,000 polling stations were set up at that time. Results were declared on June 4. Later SEC held indirect elections on June 7 and 8 for ZP Chairperson and vice-chairperson posts as well as for Mandal Parishad President (MPP) and Mandal Parishad Vice-president.

The ruling party swept the 2019 polls

Usually, the ruling party, which is in power in the state, will win majority seats in local body elections. In 2019, TRS (now BRS) won Gram Panchayat as well as ZPTC and MPTC polls. TRS won 3548 MPTCs out of the total 5816 MPTCs with Congress winning 1392 and BJP 208 MPTCs. In ZPTC elections, TRS secured 449 ZPTCs, Congress 75, and BJP 8.

Although GP elections are held without party symbols, pink party-backed candidates won 7,774 Panchayats with Congress securing 2709 and BJP over 160. With Congress in power now, it is expected to put up a far better show this time around in local body polls.

MPTC elections results

TRS: 3548 MPTCs

Cong: 1392

BJP: 208

ZPTC elections results

TRS:449

Cong: 75

BJP: 8

GP elections results

TRS: 7,774 Panchayats

Cong: 2,709

BJP: 160 plus

Nearly 1500 to 2000 voters in 90 percent of GPs

In Gram Panchayat, minimum number of voters is in the range of 350 to 500, while the maximum is in the range of 6500 to 7000, stated C Satyanarayana Reddy, ex-Sarpanch of DevuniErravelly village in Chevella Mandal of Ranga Reddy district. However, 90 percent of GPs have voters in the range of 1500 to 2000, he said. Candidates and people in villages are ready for the polls whenever they are held, he said.

Congress might not go for polls anytime soon: Rivals

Senior BJP leader Yenugu Sudarshan Reddy, who also served as Ghatkesar MPP from 2019-24 expressed, doubts if Congress would go for local body polls at this juncture as it failed to fulfill several election promises. He said people especially in villages are not happy.

It may buy more time and strengthen its hold in all assembly segments before holding the local battles, he felt. Already the Congress party is poaching elected representatives and strong leaders from rival parties in the state, he pointed out.

Irrespective of Congress plans on elections, the State BJP unit has decided to take the local body elections seriously and win more seats this time round. The party won 8 Lok Sabha seats seats from Telangana. The party wants to pick up the threads where they left in the Lok Sabha polls and put up a good show. Sudarshan Reddy said.