ANANTAPUR: Candidates supported by the ruling party held on to the dominance in the second phase of gram panchayat elections in the district, established by their counterparts in the first phase.

In all, they won 157 sarpanch posts in the second phase against 103 of the TDP.

In spite of the fact that the panchayat elections are being held on non-party basis, the influence of major political parties on the polls and candidates is very clear and has been evident during the canvassing.

Of the 266 gram panchayats in Dharmavaram revenue division where the elections were held in the second phase, six sarpanch posts were won by others.

In the first phase of elections held in Penukonda division on July 29, the Congress supporters had won 185 sarpanch posts against 130 by the TDP supporters. Others were also elected sarpanches in 11 villages out of a total of 326.

Polling for the third and final phase of gram panchayat elections will be held on August 6 in Anantapur revenue division.

Of the 368 gram panchayats in the division polling will be held for 297 sarpanch posts, as 71 sarpanches have already been elected unanimously.

Meanwhile, several TDP supporters were allegedly attacked by Congress supporters at D. Cherlopalli in Bathalapalli mandal on Thursday where a candidate supported by the TDP was elected sarpanch on Wednesday.

They were learnt to have been attacked for supporting the candidate supported by the TDP. About a dozen TDP supporters were admitted to the general hospital here with injuries.

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