Horse-trading begins for zilla, mandal top posts

With a 40-day gap between the declaration of ZPTC and MPTC results and the election of Zilla Parishad chairmen and Mandal Parishad presidents, the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZTPC) chair aspirants and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) presidential aspirants have already begun horse-trading to win. Mandal Parishad presidential aspirants have already started organising camps with help from their supporters, and these camps are likely to intensify in the coming days.

The election process for the ZPTCs and MPTCs concluded on 14th May, and results will be declared on 27th May. The Election Commission is expected to announce the date for the elections after July 5.

According to reports, candidates aspiring for the posts of Mandal Parishad presidents have started lobbying with their respective MPTC members and are also organising camps with MPTC contestants from parties with high winning potential and the members that have unanimously been elected by their parties.

The ruling party has already indicated that local MLAs and ministers will take the final call with respect to selection of Mandal Parishad presidential candidates, and the party chief Mr K Chandrasekhar Rao will take the final call on the selection of candidates for the Zilla Parishad chairmen.

Sources in the TRS disclosed that following the indication from the party's top leadership, local MLAs and ministers have already started hinting at the candidates of their choice for the Mandal Parishad presidential posts.

While ruling party aspirants are busy organising camps, opposition parties have been complaining about the horse-trading and the indirect elections of the Zilla Parishad chairmen and the Mandal Parishad presidents. Congress leaders have demanded the State Election Commission to conduct the elections within three days from the date of declaration of ZPTC and MPTC results.

Officers in the State Election Commission said that in view of the reopening of schools in June, the elections for the zilla parishad chairmen and mandal parishad presidents would be held soon after July 5 as that is when the term of the current officials will expire.