Telangana women celebrate sweeping civic victory
HYDERABAD: Women have secured 76 of 123 chairperson and mayor posts across Telangana’s municipalities and municipal corporations, accounting for nearly 62% of the total.
In elections held on Monday, women won 72 of 112 posts in 105 municipalities and seven municipal corporations, taking 64% of the positions. Polls in 11 municipalities were deferred, of which four posts are already reserved for women.
Women outpace reservation quota
While women have 50% reservation in local bodies in the state, they have won 12% more posts than the quota. In municipal corporations, however, women secured only the three mayor posts reserved for them.
Across sectors, women are entitled to 33% reservation, but local bodies in the state provide 50%. Many women won from Backward Classes (BC), Scheduled Castes (SC) and unreserved seats. They also registered victories in unreserved ward member elections.
There is growing interest in how women’s political representation may expand further if reservation is implemented in legislative bodies by 2029.
Educated candidates in key roles
Among those elected as chairpersons and mayors, eight are postgraduates and 23 are graduates. One is a doctor. Others have studied up to Class 10 and Intermediate.
Political observers note that women are increasingly entering direct politics rather than remaining behind the scenes. In several instances, leaders fielded women from their families in constituencies where they could not contest. However, analysts say women leaders must take independent decisions in governance to strengthen their political future.
Women are seen as better placed to understand local civic issues, which may enable focused intervention in addressing public grievances.
BC communities dominate posts
Amid ongoing demands to implement 42% reservation for Backward Classes in the state — a move that has faced legal hurdles — BC candidates secured 58.03% of the 112 chairperson and mayor posts decided so far.
The Munnuru Kapu community won 22 posts, followed by Goud (8), Mudiraj (7) and Yadav (5). Representatives from Lingayat, Besta, Padmashali, Swarnakar, Boya, Teli, Kuruma and Reddika communities also secured positions.
