Following the successful completion of Panchayat and Municipal elections, the Telangana government has shifted its focus toward the Mandal Parishad (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad (ZPTC) polls. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is scheduled to hold a high-level meeting with officials today to decide the roadmap for these pending local body elections. With the election of Mayors and Chairpersons for 123 urban local bodies concluding on February 16 and 17, the administration aims to maintain its political momentum and finalize the rural local body structure as soon as possible.
The Chief Minister is reportedly keen on completing the entire election process within a tight window of 15 to 20 days. However, the scheduling remains a delicate balance due to the upcoming Assembly Budget sessions and the crucial Intermediate and Class 10 board exams starting in March. The government is exploring feasibility options to conduct the polling in a single phase, ensuring that the election activity does not disrupt the students’ academic schedule while still adhering to the state’s legislative timeline.
Financial implications are a major driving factor behind the urgency of these polls. If the MPTC and ZPTC elections are not concluded before the end of the current financial year in March, the state risks losing approximately ₹450 crore in central funds designated for local bodies. Encouraged by the Congress party’s performance in the recent municipal polls, the Revanth government is determined to secure these administrative seats and the associated central grants before the March 31 deadline.
