Congress Consolidates Rural Stronghold with Big Win in Second Phase of Telangana Gram Panchayat Polls

Hyderabad, Dec 2025 : The ruling Congress party continued its strong electoral momentum in Telangana by securing a decisive majority in the second phase of the Gram Panchayat elections, further consolidating its position in rural local governance across the state. The results reaffirm the party’s growing influence at the grassroots level following its victory in the Assembly elections.

Out of 4,333 Sarpanch posts for which elections were held in the second phase on Sunday, Congress-backed candidates emerged victorious in 2,216 seats. The principal opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) followed at a distant second with 1,177 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finished third with just 259 seats. Independents and candidates from other parties accounted for 619 seats, reflecting limited fragmentation in rural voting patterns.

By 11 p.m. on Sunday, results had been declared for 4,271 Sarpanch seats. Polling for this phase covered 3,911 Sarpanch posts and 29,917 Ward Member posts across 193 mandals. Voting began at 7 a.m. amid tight security arrangements and concluded at 1 p.m., with counting commencing from 2 p.m. the same day.

The second phase witnessed an impressive voter turnout, underscoring strong public engagement in grassroots democracy. Of the total 57.22 lakh registered voters — including 29.26 lakh women and 27.96 lakh men — as many as 85.86 per cent exercised their franchise. Voters chose among 12,782 candidates contesting for Sarpanch positions and 71,071 candidates vying for Ward Member posts.

Under this phase, the State Election Commission (SEC) had issued notifications for elections to 4,333 Sarpanch posts and 38,350 Ward Member posts. However, candidates for 415 Sarpanch posts and 8,307 Ward Member posts were elected unopposed, while no nominations were filed for 108 Ward Member positions. Elections could not be conducted in two Gram Panchayats and 18 wards for administrative reasons.

To ensure smooth conduct of the polls, the SEC deployed a massive administrative machinery, including 4,593 returning officers and 30,661 staff members. In addition, 2,489 micro-observers were appointed to closely monitor the election process and ensure transparency and fairness.

The results of the second phase build on Congress’ dominant performance in the first phase of the elections held on December 11. In that phase, elections were conducted for 3,834 Sarpanch posts, 27,346 Ward Member posts, and 3,347 Upa Sarpanch posts. Of the 56,19,430 registered voters, 45,15,141 cast their votes, registering a turnout of 84.28 per cent.

Congress-backed candidates had swept the first phase as well, winning 2,864 of the 4,235 Sarpanch seats, accounting for 67.63 per cent of the total. BRS-backed candidates won 1,143 seats (26.99 per cent), BJP-supported candidates secured 185 seats (4.37 per cent), while independents and others won 43 seats (1.02 per cent).

As per the notification issued by the State Election Commission last month, the Gram Panchayat elections are being conducted in three phases — December 11, 14, and 17 — to elect representatives to 12,728 Sarpanch posts and 1,12,242 Ward Member posts. A total of 1.66 crore rural voters are eligible to participate in this electoral exercise.

The Telangana Cabinet had earlier decided to hold only Gram Panchayat elections in December, as a Rs 3,000 crore grant from the Centre would lapse by March 31, 2026. Elections to Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs), and municipal bodies will be conducted after the High Court delivers its final orders on the issue of 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes in local bodies.

Team Maverick.