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The ruling Congress in Telangana has begun preparations for the upcoming Mandal Parishad and Zilla Parishad elections scheduled for next month, aiming to build on its sweeping victory in the recent panchayat and municipal polls.

 

Elections are due for 31 Zilla Parishads comprising 565 Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) seats and 566 Mandal Parishads with 5,773 Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) seats. The local bodies have been under special officers since January 2025 after their elected terms ended.

 

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recently convened a meeting of senior ministers and party leaders to chalk out strategy for the next round of local body polls. Party insiders said the leadership is keen to capitalise on the momentum generated by the Congress’ dominant performance in the recently concluded municipal elections, where it won over 90 per cent of municipalities and municipal corporations.

 

“The Chief Minister wants the party to replicate the same success in the MPTC and ZPTC elections and complete the entire electoral process within 20 to 25 days,” a senior Congress leader said.

 

However, the poll schedule must be aligned with key administrative and academic commitments. Intermediate (Class XII) examinations will be held from February 25 to March 18, while Class X examinations are scheduled from March 14 to April 16. The Budget session of the Telangana Assembly is set to begin on March 16.

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The government is weighing the possibility of announcing the election schedule either before the Assembly session begins or in a manner that runs parallel to it without disrupting examinations.

 

“The government will ensure that polling does not inconvenience students. A final decision will be taken at the Cabinet meeting on February 23 and conveyed to the State Election Commission,” the Congress leader said.

 

The elections must be completed before March 31, the end of the financial year. Officials indicated that failure to restore elected bodies within the stipulated period could jeopardise the devolution of Central funds amounting to nearly ₹450 crore for Zilla and Mandal Parishads.

 

The Congress leadership believes a decisive victory in these grassroots bodies would further consolidate its political hold in the state ahead of future electoral contests.