Congress-backed candidates dominate the second phase of Telangana Gram Panchayat elections, extending the party’s strong rural performance.

The Congress has extended its strong run in Telangana’s Gram Panchayat elections, emerging with a clear edge in the second phase of polling. Of the 4,333 sarpanch posts contested on Sunday, candidates supported by the ruling party secured 2,216 seats, reinforcing its position in rural Telangana.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) followed with 1,177 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trailed with 259 wins. Independents and others accounted for 619 posts. By late Sunday night, results had been declared for 4,271 sarpanch positions.

Polling for the second phase covered 3,911 sarpanch posts and nearly 30,000 ward member seats across 193 mandals. Voting was held in a single morning session under tight security, with counting beginning in the afternoon. The exercise recorded a high turnout of 85.86 per cent among over 57 lakh eligible voters.

The Congress’s consistent showing across two phases points to sustained rural backing, likely influenced by recent welfare outreach and local-level mobilisation. High voter participation suggests strong grassroots engagement, making the final phase crucial for parties seeking momentum before future local and state-level contests.