Telangana Municipal Elections: Congress-BRS clashes postpone chairperson polls in 11 towns

Hyderabad: Elections to the posts of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in 11 municipalities across Telangana were postponed on Monday following intense political confrontations between the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

Both parties accused each other of attempting to capture urban local bodies through undemocratic practices, leading to disruptions at several venues.

The affected municipalities include Yellandu, Sultanabad, Ibrahimpatnam, Kagaznagar, Ketanapally, Khanapur, Zaheerabad, Inderesham, Dornakal, Jangaon and Thorrur.

Oath-taking followed by clashes

The postponement came on a day when newly-elected councillors and corporators took oath across the state.

The election process for mayors, deputy mayors, chairpersons and vice-chairpersons began thereafter, but tensions flared in certain municipalities, forcing authorities to defer the proceedings.

At Thorrur in Mahabubabad district, clashes erupted between Congress and BRS workers during a show of strength. Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the groups.

The dispute centred around the participation of Warangal MP Kadiyam Kavya as an ex officio member, which was strongly opposed by BRS leaders. Following the unrest, officials postponed the election.

Congress emerges dominant force

The municipal elections held on February 11, with results declared on February 13, saw the Congress party secure a clear edge.

Congress won 66 municipalities and four municipal corporations — Mancherial, Mahabubnagar, Ramagundam and Nalgonda.

In Kothagudem Corporation, Congress is expected to share power with CPI.

The party also emerged as the single largest party in 18 other municipalities.

Out of 116 municipalities and seven corporations, the polls resulted in 34 hung municipalities and two hung corporations, setting the stage for intense post-poll negotiations.

BRS and BJP performance

The BRS won 13 municipalities and emerged as the single largest party in 19 others but struggled to consolidate power in several hung bodies.

The BJP, though limited in overall numbers, made significant gains in select urban centres. In Karimnagar Municipal Corporation, where it won 30 seats in the 66-member body, the BJP secured the posts of mayor and deputy mayor.

In Nizamabad Municipal Corporation, despite emerging as the single largest party, the BJP lost control after Congress allied with AIMIM to capture the mayoral post.

Cross-party alliances shape outcomes

Post-poll alliances played a decisive role in several municipalities:

1. Aliabad (Medchal-Malkajgiri district): Congress secured the chairperson post with BJP support in the 20-member body.

2. Adilabad: Independent councillor Bandari Anusha was elected chairperson with backing from Congress, BRS, AIMIM and independents.

3. Bhainsa: Independent T. Dattatri won with support from BJP, AIMIM and Congress.

4. Nirmal: Congress captured power, with Appala Kavya elected chairperson and her husband Appala Ganesh as vice-chairperson.

These developments underscore the fluid political equations in Telangana’s urban local bodies, where hung verdicts have led to strategic realignments across party lines.

Political blame game intensifies

Both Congress and BRS have accused each other of engineering defections and exerting pressure on councillors to gain control of civic bodies. The postponement of elections in 11 municipalities reflects the volatile atmosphere surrounding the formation of urban local governments.

Election authorities are expected to announce fresh dates for the postponed elections after reviewing law and order conditions.

The unfolding civic power struggle highlights the high political stakes in Telangana’s urban governance landscape.