The upcoming Telangana Panchayat Elections 2025 are set to reshape the state’s rural political landscape. The State Election Commission (SEC) has already issued the notification to conduct polls for 12,733 gram panchayats, 1,12,288 wards, 5,749 Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), and 656 Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs). hence Congress, BRS, BJP Brace for Triangular Political Battle
However, due to pending legal disputes, elections will not be held in all regions. The SEC clarified that polls for 14 MPTC seats, 27 gram panchayats, and 246 wards have been postponed. Among these, 25 panchayats are in Mulugu district and 2 panchayats in Karimnagar district, as per High Court directions.
Etela Rajender’s Remark: “Elections May Be Cancelled”
BJP senior leader and MLA Etela Rajender stirred controversy with his remarks on the elections. Speaking to the media, he stated:
“The government order (GO) does not stand. There is a possibility that these elections will be cancelled. Contesting candidates should not waste their money.”
Rajender reminded that in the past, courts including High Courts and the Supreme Court had intervened and cancelled local body elections in some states. His statement has triggered heated debate in political circles.
Kavitha’s Counter: “BJP Trying to Influence the Judiciary”
Responding sharply, BRS MLC Kavitha accused BJP of undermining democratic institutions. She alleged:
> “BJP leaders are making statements as if they have the powers of judges and the judiciary. Their comments look like an attempt to influence the courts, which is dangerous for democracy.”
Kavitha maintained that the BJP was deliberately creating doubts about the election process to mislead the public.
Congress Strategy: Welfare Schemes and BC Reservations as Strength
The ruling Congress Party is treating these elections as a prestige battle. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has already held a video conference with ministers, directing them to finalize candidate lists by October 5.
ZPTC candidates will be finalized at the state level by the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) high command.
MPTC candidates will be chosen at the District Congress Committee (DCC) level.
Congress is focusing on its flagship welfare schemes to gain rural support:
Free rice distribution
Free RTC bus travel for women
₹500 gas cylinders
Free electricity for farmers
Implementation of BC reservations
However, the party faces several challenges that could backfire:
Shortage of urea and fertilizers forcing farmers to wait in long queues
Power supply issues for agriculture
Allegations of irregularities in Group-1 recruitment exams
Non-implementation of some of the promised “Six Guarantees”
Pending rollout of schemes like Rajiv Yuva Vikasam
These factors may dent Congress’ image among farmers and youth despite its welfare push.
BRS Strategy: “Baki Card” Movement and Attack on Congress
For the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), these local elections are an opportunity to regain lost ground. Party working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) has been aggressively attacking the Congress government, claiming:
> “From the galli (street) to Delhi, it will be BRS that wins.”
KTR alleged that farmers, women, youth, and students are already dissatisfied with the Congress government. The shortage of fertilizers and power supply failures, he said, would hit the Congress hard in the local body polls.
The BRS is also launching its “Baki Card” movement to expose what it calls the Congress government’s financial mismanagement. BRS leaders argue that just like the previous TRS government had been blamed for debts, now Congress is also burdening Telangana with huge loans while failing to deliver on promises.
BJP’s Mission: From Villages to Delhi with Saffron Flag
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is treating this as a litmus test for its new state leadership under G. Kishan Reddy and state president Ramachandra Rao. This is the first election after the new leadership took charge, making it a prestige contest.
The party’s slogan is:
“Not only in Delhi, but in every galli (village and street), the saffron flag will fly.”
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay accused both Congress and BRS governments of weakening local bodies by not releasing funds to panchayats. He promised that BJP tickets would be given only to loyal cadre who worked sincerely for the party, with no scope for lobbying or favoritism.
Public Mood: Key Concerns of Voters
As the campaign picks up, the real issues for rural voters are becoming clear:
Farmers – Shortage of fertilizers, irregular electricity supply, lack of full implementation of farm loan waivers and support price promises.
Youth – Rising unemployment, delayed recruitment notifications, and corruption allegations in competitive exams.
Women – While many benefit from free rice, RTC bus travel and subsidized gas cylinders, delays in scheme implementation remain a concern.
Thus, while Congress hopes to ride on welfare schemes, opposition parties see space to mobilize discontent among farmers and youth.
Political Analysis
Political observers highlight several challenges for all three parties:
Ticket distribution and reservations will be a big headache, with possible rebellions from aspirants denied tickets.
Congress, though in power, cannot expect an easy sweep as anti-incumbency is surfacing even within a year.
BRS sees this as a chance to bounce back, especially in its rural strongholds.
BJP is determined to make inroads, projecting itself as the alternative to both Congress and BRS.
Court verdicts on reservation issues may alter the election schedule, creating further uncertainty.
Conclusion: A Triangular Contest Looms
The Telangana Panchayat Elections 2025 are shaping up as a three-way battle between Congress, BRS, and BJP. Congress is banking on welfare schemes and BC reservations, while BRS is pinning hopes on its “Baki Card” campaign to attack the government. BJP is aggressively pitching itself as the saffron alternative, determined to prove its strength from the villages to Delhi.
Etela Rajender’s claim that the elections may be cancelled, and Kavitha’s counter-accusation that BJP is trying to influence the judiciary, have further intensified the debate.
If the elections go ahead as scheduled, Telangana will witness a real triangular contest. Ultimately, it will be the rural voters who decide whether Congress consolidates, BRS regains ground, or BJP emerges stronger in the grassroots.
-By Veeramusti Sathish
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Telangana Panchayat Elections 2025: Etela Rajender vs Kavitha
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