VIJAYAWADA: Political activity is intensifying in villages across Andhra Pradesh, stirring up lobbying with the notification for the first phase of Gram Panchayats to be given on November 13.
After high-voltage and often violent ZPTC and MPTC rural polls held Nov 5 for 582 ZPTC and 7,767 MPTC seats across 31,460 booths — which saw 21% polling till 11am, 79.35% turnout in Visakhapatnam, petrol bombs hurled in Errampalli village Pulivendula in YSR Kadapa (YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy stronghold) and in Nallapureddypalle Tirupati, clashes in Prakasam Darsi, Chimakurthy, Tangutur, Tallur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Chittoor, and allegations of rigging, bogus voting and police ejecting YSRCP agents — attention has now shifted to the biggest grassroot battle.
Elections will be held for 13,354 Gram Panchayats (Sarpanch posts) and 1,33,932 ward member posts, total 1,47,286 elected positions.
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Electorate over 2.81 crore voters — 1,38,53,807 men and 1,42,79,289 women.
Phases:
- First phase notification Nov 13, polling and counting Nov 26
- Second phase notification Nov 16, polling and counting Nov 30
- Third phase notification Nov 19, polling and counting Dec 2
Though Gram Panchayat elections are not conducted on party symbols, party affiliations and political support play significant role. Unlike Assembly, parliamentary and urban local body polls, Gram Panchayat polls provide greater opportunity for local aspirants.
Why high stakes? Finance Commission grants. 16th Finance Commission recommended Rs 16,627 crore for rural local bodies over five years 2026-27 to 2030-31 — Rs 2,136 cr in 2026-27, increasing to Rs 2,724 cr in 2027-28, Rs 3,521 cr in 2028-29, Rs 3,908 cr in 2029-30 and Rs 4,338 cr in 2030-31. Sarpanch controls development works.
In tribal belt, transformation was visible last week: Rangabayalu, remotest village in Munchingiput mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district once Maoist-dominated, got polling station first time with 1,100 voters voting in own village. Voters from 12 villages in Srujana Kota panchayat crossed rivers in boats. 148 stations classified sensitive, 91 highly sensitive, yet peaceful.
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But Kotia flashpoint remains: 28-village cluster on AP-Odisha border, both states claim 21 villages since 1930s, matter pending in Supreme Court since 1968. On Nov 5, AP tried to hold polls in Nerellavalasa, Odisha deployed 16 platoons, 3 checkposts, stopped PDS rice vehicle, prevented groom from entering. AP shifted booth to Sarika village on its side. Over 1,000 villagers trekked 15 km through forest to vote, defying curbs. Odisha filed contempt petition.
Both states ruled by NDA — BJP government in Odisha under CM Mohan Charan Majhi, TDP-led alliance in AP — making issue politically difficult. BJD's Naveen Patnaik attacked BJP over Odia asmita.
In villages now, lobbying intense — aspirants camping in mandal headquarters, TDP, YSRCP, Jana Sena backing candidates informally. In Bheemunipatnam mandal's Rayannapeta, villagers used polling to protest drainage, showing Gram Panchayat power over local issues.
Tags: #AndhraPradesh #GramPanchayatElections #PanchayatRaj #ZPTC #MPTC #Kotia