:With rural and urban local body elections on the horizon, second-tier leaders from all major political parties have begun campaigning to secure positions in their respective villages and towns. The elections, which will cover gram panchayats, mandals, zilla parishads, and municipalities, are expected to take place soon in the state. Aspiring candidates for positions such as sarpanch, Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) members, Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) members, municipal councillors, and corporators are working hard to build local support.
Many are focusing on their native villages or politically favourable areas, seeking to gain an edge in the upcoming elections. According to reports, sitting MLAs and Assembly constituency in-charges have promised to support these candidates in their bids for local body positions. Both the ruling Congress and the BJP have intensified their preparations for the local polls.
The BRS is also seeking to make an impact in these elections. Naresh, a youth leader from the Nizamabad rural Assembly constituency, told Deccan Chronicle that he is aiming to contest for the position of Mandal Parishad President (MPP). "Compared to the sarpanch post, the MPP president role is more crucial for my political career.
With the blessings of voters and party leaders, I am confident of winning the mandal parishad elections," he said. In the previous two terms, the BRS secured a majority in village, mandal, and district-level ele.
