HYDERABAD: With local body elections drawing close, ministers in charge of districts have their hands full, dealing with organisational challenges ranging from candidate selection to managing rebel threats.
According to party sources, finalising ZPTC and MPTC nominations has become a major concern for the state Congress leadership. District in-charge ministers are under pressure as sitting MLAs and defeated Assembly candidates are each proposing three names for consideration. However, the party can issue a B form to only one nominee, leaving the others dissatisfied. Leaders fear this could lead to rebellion at the village and mandal levels.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed district in-charges to take full responsibility for ensuring Congress victory. This, sources say, has heightened pressure within ministerial circles, as they must manage both internal dissent and the wider election campaign.
Factionalism is expected to intensify, particularly in constituencies held by ‘defected’MLAs. Their nominees are likely to clash with those backed by long-time Congress leaders, including some former legislators. Party insiders believe such rivalries could trigger group politics and increase the risk of rebels contesting.
In addition to candidate finalisation, issues around campaign strategy, financial planning and organisational coordination are weighing heavily on district in-charges. Sources also flagged the impending selection of ZP chairpersons and MPPs as another flashpoint, with local leaders resisting central strategies and planning to push their own preferences.
If rebels contest ZPTC and MPTC polls, party leaders fear a split in votes, which could help rival parties.
The pending high court judgment on the 42% quota for Backward Classes in local bodies adds to the uncertainty. A senior Congress MLA said, “The court’s decision will shape the ground situation. We will plan accordingly and explain to aspirants why certain candidates cannot be accommodated.”
For now, the ruling party’s immediate task is to strike a balance between accommodating loyalists and managing the expectations of ‘defectors’ while ensuring unity in its ranks before the polls.