Sangareddy: With its presence diminishing during the first and second phases of panchayat raj elections, the TRS is fighting to retain its past glory in Sangareddy revenue division, which is going for polls on Sunday.

The party has lost its strongholds to archrival TDP while the Congress maintained its winning streak at the cost of the TRS.

Four years ago, the party, riding on pro-Telangana wave, reduced the TDP to second position in Siddipet revenue division.

TDP gains

The TDP, which won 85 sarpanch posts during the 2001 elections, improved its position to 113, while the strength of the TRS has come down from 132 to 94.

More shocking is the strengthening of the TDP in Dommata Assembly segment, currently represented by TRS leader Solipeta Ramalinga Reddy. The TDP supported candidate also grabbed the prestigious Prasahant Nagar panchayatduring the first phase.

Meanwhile, the Congress also faced reversals in Gajwel constituency, represented by Minister for Tourism J. Geetha Reddy.

However, the party improved its position considerably in Medak revenue division. The party emerged victorious with 193 panchayats, 56 more than what it secured during 2001. The TDP has improved its position slightly but the strength of the TRS has come down by almost 50 percent.

Sensing the problems at hand, the TRS has already announced a disclaimer that the elections have nothing to do with the achievement of separate State. However, the declining clout certainly indicates that the crucial mass base of the party is slowly eroding.

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