BRS gets 25%, BJP 4%; high turnout and close contests mark three-phase elections
Hyderabad: The Congress-backed candidates won more than 60 per cent sarpanches in the gram panchayat elections across all three phases. The opposition BRS-supported candidates won 25 per cent posts, while the BJP-backed candidates got only four per cent panchayats. Independents and others emerged as a major block by winning at least 10 per cent, playing a key role in the Panchayat elections.
In the third phase, the Congress-backed candidates won in 2,120 panchayats, while BRS-backed ones won 1,100 and the BJP 225, and others 465. With the third phase polls, the gram panchayat elections have completed in the state. The vice-sarpanches were also elected in most villages after the sarpanch and ward member poll results were announced.
Telangana has 12,726 gram panchayats. Of this, 1,205 villages elected their representatives unopposed, elections were stayed by a court order in five villages, and polls were not conducted in 21 villages as officials received no nominations.
The elections for the post of sarpanch and ward members were conducted in the remaining 11,497 villages. Of this, the Congress-backed candidates won 7,000 sarpanches posts, the BRS got 3,461, the BJP 585 and others 1,650.
The State Election Commission said all the elected representatives will take oath on December 22 as against the previous scheduled date of December 20. The nodal officers were appointed for Sarpanches swearing in ceremony programmes across the state.
At least 85.77 per cent of voters exercised their franchise in the third phase. Just like in the first and second phases, the Yadadri Bhongir district topped in the state, reporting with 92.56 per cent of voting.
The districts that received more than 85 per cent of votes are are Medak (90.68 per cent), Suryapet (89.25 per cent), Khammam (88.82 per cent), Nalgonda (88.72 per cent), Jogulamba Gadwal (88.54 per cent), Mahbubabad (88.52 per cent), Jangaon (88.48 per cent), Siddipet (88.45 per cent), Mahbubnagar (88.36 per cent), Warangal (88.21 per cent), Mancherial (87.78 per cent), Sangareddy (87.43 per cent), Hanumakonda (86.45 per cent), Karimnagar (86.42 per cent), Ranga Reddy (88.22 per cent) and Kamareddy (85.45 per cent).
In many places, the counting witnessed intensely close results, with candidates securing victories by narrow margins. In the Gandhinagar panchayat of Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Congress-backed Banoth Mangilal won by a margin of three votes. Similarly, Doulthapur Geetha, a Congress supporter, won by a margin of seven votes in the Nagaram panchayat of Banswada mandal in Nizamabad district. In Jagannath Palli of Kamareddy district, the Congress-backed candidate Venkaiah secured victory by a margin of eight votes.
The police across the state have strictly implemented the model code of conduct by prohibiting victory rallies, large gatherings, bike rallies, processions, or events involving DJs.
"We will not tolerate any action that violates the rules. Legal cases will be registered if any violations occur. Adhering to the rules is the responsibility of every citizen for the smooth conduct of the democratic process," said Jogulamba Gadwal SP T. Srinivasa Rao.
In Vikarabad, SP Sneha Mehra issued a circular warning that the restrictions must be strictly followed as long as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in effect in the district.
