Panchayat Poll Triumph Signals Party’s Rural Shift In The State, Claims NRR

HYDERABAD: BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao hailed what he called the party's “sweeping success” in the first phase of panchayat elections, securing over 300 posts and opening accounts in every districts, "This is BJP's first major rural push, with cadres working tirelessly across villages," Rao declared at a party briefing.

Rao highlighted victories in former strongholds like undivided Karimnagar, Adilabad, and Medak, plus breakthroughs in Jangaon, Sangareddy, Wanaparthy and Mahbubabad (six each), and Bhupalapalli and Nagarkurnool (three). "No district went without a BJP win. Ward members and upa-sarpanchs backed by us triumphed in large numbers," he added.

Rao sought public support for the next two phases, predicting even bigger hauls. Rao slammed Congress and BRS for inflating claims, alleging thousands of wins without symbols or proof, echoing past Congress tactics under then chief minister T. Anjaiah.

"Central schemes like PM Gram Sadak Yojana deliver roads worth crores to villages, yet state governments divert funds. Free 5 kg rice comes from Centre's agriculture schemes and we ensure they reach grassroots," he asserted.

Rao accused the Congress and the BJP of misusing local body funds, branding them "thieves" after public trials with BRS and now Congress. "People see through alliances with Stalin, Akhilesh and Mamata in the I.N.D.I. alliance,” he said.

He pointed to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav backing BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao and claimed: “Congress-BRS unite only against BJP."

Elsewhere, at a party workshop, Rao dismissed the Congress opposition to the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in several states, stating that the party was spreading “needless conspiracy theories”. National media incharge Pratyush Kant, speaking virtually, debunked Congress’ accusations and replaced Union home minister Amit Shah's speech in Parliament.