Congress wins over 50% Sarpanch posts

The ruling Congress scored a dominant victory in the first phase of Telangana Gram Panchayat elections, winning 2,319 of 4,236 Sarpanch posts — more than half of all seats, including those elected unopposed.

Though officially non-party elections, the results clearly reflect voter preference: BRS came a distant second with 1,159 wins, while the BJP secured just 188. Independents and others captured 534 posts.

Polling was held for 3,834 Sarpanch seats across 31 districts, with 84.28% voter turnout. Congress secured a majority in nearly all districts except Siddipet and Kumaram Bheem, where BRS-backed candidates led.

Over 12,960 candidates contested for Sarpanch posts, with more than 56 lakh eligible voters and heavy security deployment across the state. Recounting took place in several panchayats where margins were razor-thin.

State Congress chief Mahesh Kumar Goud said the results show strong public confidence in the new government.

The elections are being held in three phases on December 11, 14 and 17, covering 12,728 Sarpanch seats statewide.