Nomination process for Parishad polls ends in Telangana

Khammam: The process of filing of nominations for three phases of ZPTC and MPTC polls has concluded on Thursday. The main political parties are engaged in election campaign, as the nomination process of candidates has been completed.

Contesting candidates from Thirumalayapalem, Khammam Rural, Kusumanchi, Nelakondapally, Karepalli, Kempalli and Mudigonda mandals for the seven ZPTC and 112 MPTC seats have started their campaign for the upcoming elections on May 6. The leaders have begun a door-to-door campaign and attempting to gain the confidence of voters as the nomination process came to an end. Braving the hot summer, they are campaigning extensively and taking out rallies.

It can be recalled that in the second phase, the polls will be held for six ZPTC seats and 85 MPTC seats in Enkuru, Thallada, Kalluru, Penuballi, Sathupalli and Vemsoor mandals and the elections will be held on May 10. Elections for seven ZPTC and 92 MPTC seats will be held in the third phase on May 14. The mandals of Raghunathapalam, Konigerla, Wyra, Errupalem, Madhira, Bonakal and Chanthakani mandals will go for polls on May 14.

As the parties directly issued the B-forms unlike the Sarpanch elections, several new faces are contesting the polls. Meanwhile, many of the members of the current district Parishad are not showing interest in contesting this time. The ZPTCs, MPPs and MPTCs, who won the 2014 elections, have not come forward to contest this election. The newly-joined politicians and the youth who recently completed their studies are showing more enthusiasm to participate in local body elections.

Political analysts said that due to the changing political scenario, reservation changes and economic situation, the former politicians and the sitting ZPTCs, MPPs and MPTCs are not interested to compete in these elections. MPPs and ZPTCs will function under Zilla Praja Parishads and MPTCs will be a part of Mandal Praja Parishads. As the MPTCs, MPPs, ZPTCs don't have much administrative power and functions in the Parishads, the earlier representatives are not keen on competing again. According to the new Panchayat Raj Act, they have many responsibilities. But those responsibilities are not being handed over to them. It is also alleged that government is failing to pay the honorary wage payable to them. Due to all these reasons, the sitting candidates are not willing to contest and youth are participating actively in the contest.