Independent, Rebel Sarpanches Begin Joining Congress In Adilabad
Candidates who contested as Independents or rebels after being denied party support and were subsequently elected are now joining the Congress.
ADILABAD: Many elected sarpanches and ward members, who contested as Independents or as rebels of the BRS and BJP in the two phases of elections, have begun joining the ruling Congress in the erstwhile Adilabad district.
However, the elected sarpanches and ward members will formally take oath on December 20, as the State government has announced the oath-taking schedule for those elected in three phases.
Candidates who contested as Independents or rebels after being denied party support and were subsequently elected are now joining the Congress.
Sources said some elected Independent sarpanches and ward members have expressed their desire to join the ruling party in the presence of in-charge minister Jupally Krishna Rao, citing the need to seek sanction of funds for the development of their respective gram panchayats.
Some elected sarpanches are also aspiring for positions in district-, block- and mandal-level Congress committees, which are to be constituted soon by the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee. Such candidates are reportedly being assured recognition in the party by district leaders after their induction.
Adilabad District Congress Committee (DCC) president Naresh Jadhav said that eight elected sarpanches, including six from the BRS and two Independents, from Gadiguda mandal, and another eight sarpanches, including six from the BRS and two Independents, from Narnoor mandal have joined the Congress so far in Adilabad district.
He said elected sarpanches and ward members who contested as rebels or Independents had approached the party leadership expressing their willingness to join the Congress in the interest of development of their gram panchayats. He added that the party welcomed such candidates without hesitation.
Komaram Bheem Asifabad DCC president Atram Suguna said more than 10 elected sarpanches who contested as Independents and rebels of the BJP and BRS had joined the Congress so far. She added that many other elected sarpanches from opposition parties and Independents had also approached the party, expressing their willingness to join.