Hyderabad
Congress-backed candidates performed impressively in the first phase of the Panchayat elections, winning in nearly 2,000 villages across Telangana, while BRS-backed candidates also fared better than expected, winning in about 800 villages at last count. In contrast, BJP-backed candidates failed to make much of an impact, barely touching 150.
Although the election was officially held without party symbols, voters in rural Telangana were largely aware of the candidates’ political affiliations and localities.
State Election Commissioner Rani Kumudini disclosed that the voter turnout was a robust 84.28% with 45,15,141 votes cast in the first phase. Out of the 4,236 Gram Panchayats and 37,440 wards notified for the polls, 395 Sarpanchs and 9,331 ward members were elected unanimously, leading to voting in 3,836 GPs and 27,960 wards.
Congress-backed candidates dominated the results, securing victory in more than half of the contested villages. The BRS, despite being pushed to the opposition benches, secured victory in around 800 villages.
The BJP, which has historically struggled to penetrate village-level politics, fared modestly, winning in about 150 villages. The detailed performance of the constituencies is expected to emerge in the coming days.
TPCC president and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud expressed happiness over what he called a “resounding victory” and declared that Congress-backed candidates had won nearly 90% of the seats declared so far. He attributed the results to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s welfare- and development-oriented rule of two years. “People have supported our slogan of welfare, social justice and development. The landslide victory of the Congress candidates in the Sarpanch elections is proof of this,” he said.
Congress MP Chamala Kiran Reddy added that the results exposed what the BRS called “empty claims” on social media. “The BRS had called on the Congress to hold elections claiming that it was against incumbency. The verdict showed otherwise,” he said.
The BRS, however, claimed to have performed impressively despite what it said was “threats” from the ruling party that voters would lose benefits if they elected a BRS-backed Sarpanch. Party leaders said the victory in 800 villages, despite being out of power, demonstrated the strength of the BRS.
95 year old father Jagadish Reddy wins in Suryapet
In an interesting development, Guntakandla Ramachandra Reddy, father of former minister G. Jagadish Reddy, won the Sarpanch election in his native Nagaram village in Suryapet district with BRS support.
At 95, he is considered the oldest contestant and winner in the current election cycle. Although he had never contested an election before, Ramachandra Reddy entered the fray and expressed his desire to “officially serve the society”.
Known for decades as a respected elder who played a key role in the village’s development, his decision to protest sparked widespread interest in the state.
Published – 11 Dec 2025 21:34 IST
