The Telangana panchayat elections have concluded, and attention has now shifted to the overall picture. Media reports estimate that between Rs 11,000 crore and Rs 12,000 crore was spent across the state. The scale of spending has shocked observers.
Political parties treated the local body polls as a prestige battle. Except in villages reserved for SCs and STs, candidates spent heavily. In some villages, election expenses reportedly touched Rs 1 crore for a single panchayat.
In villages with BC candidates and other castes, each vote allegedly cost between Rs 3000 and Rs 5000. Liquor flowed freely during the campaign period. Polling booths were decorated, and selfie booths were set up to attract voters.
Spending was highest in villages with real estate, sand, and granite resources. Analysts say this year’s panchayat elections saw nearly three times the expenditure of earlier polls. Candidates even sold land, and around Rs 2000 crore was spent on liquor in just 14 days.
Panchayats located closer to cities also witnessed heavy spending. Experts compare the expenses to those seen in MLA or MP elections. Apart from candidates backed by Congress, BRS, BJP, and MIM, independent candidates also spent large sums.
In all three phases, the money flow was so intense that some losing candidates are now visiting houses asking voters to return cash. Such incidents underline the scale of excess during the polls.
Political analysts say this unchecked spending is a serious concern. They stress the need for strict monitoring and strong measures to control election expenditure in future local body polls.
