Overview

• State cabinet is set to meet on June 20 to finalize the schedule for overdue local body polls with an official announcement due by June 30.
• The proposed calendar begins with gram panchayat elections in July, followed within weeks by Mandal Parishad and Zilla Parishad contests.
• Municipal elections for 130 towns are slated for August, contingent on the Centre’s approval of a bill raising BC reservation to 42%.
• The Congress government has accelerated rollout of welfare benefits, including Rythu Bharosa payments and a bonus for fine-grade rice, to bolster voter outreach.
• Special officers have been administering local bodies since their terms expired in early 2024, triggering a suspension of central finance commission grants.