Hyderabad: BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan on Friday said the outcome of the first phase of the 2025 Panchayat elections showed a decisive rejection of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy by rural voters across Telangana.
Citing the results from 4,236 gram panchayats, Sravan claimed the Congress had faced a setback despite the traditional edge ruling parties hold in local body elections. He said the BRS winning 1,345 Sarpanch posts demonstrated a “growing wave of rural resentment” against the Congress government.
“The people have slapped down inducement politics and theatrics with their votes,” Sravan stated at a press conference at Telangana Bhavan. He commended BRS candidates for resisting “money power, threats and pressure,” and called their performance a democratic success.
Sravan pointed to significant Congress losses, including in Polkampalli, near the Chief Minister’s native Kondareddypally, and in Eturunagaram, represented by MLA Seethakka. He also cited the defeat of Congress MLA Murali Naik’s sister-in-law in Mahabubabad, followed by allegations of attempts to recover money distributed to voters. The BRS leader further alleged irregularities in the Congress victory in Jubilee Hills, calling it a “blow to democratic values.”
He accused the chief minister of financial mismanagement, criticising the Rs.100-crore “Messi vs Mesthri” entertainment event at Uppal Stadium. Sravan alleged the event destroyed the cricket pitch and involved the misuse of Singareni Collieries funds, even as the government cited a lack of funds for welfare schemes.
Predicting deeper public backlash in upcoming phases, Sravan urged BRS workers to stay united and prepare for a stronger mandate in the next rounds of the panchayat elections.
Former Somajiguda corporator Mahesh Yadav and ex-chairperson Rakesh also attended the press meet.