Telangana municipal polls: 12,993 candidates file nominations, 6701 pull out; Congress aims to win 90% seats

Hyderabad: Ahead of municipal polls, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee President Mahesh Kumar Goud exuded confidence of winning 90% of the seats.

In a strategy meeting with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and All India Congress Committee in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, a seemingly confident Goud said the party does not see any major competition in the municipal polls, sources said

According to the Telangana Election Commission, 12,993 candidates have filed nominations so far. Over 6701 candidates have withdrawn their nominations.

The elections are scheduled for February 11, 2026, covering 7 Municipal Corporations and 116 Municipalities. Over 52 lakh voters will decide the fate of candidates across nearly 3,000 wards. This is the first major urban local body (ULB) test since the Congress won the 2023 Assembly elections.

"No Competition," Claims TPCC Chief

TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud asserted that the Congress is on track to win 90% of the seats. "There is effectively no competition for us in this election. Our internal surveys show a massive wave in favor of the government’s welfare schemes," Goud stated.

Addressing concerns over internal friction, Goud noted that the "rebel threat" has been neutralized as most disgruntled candidates have withdrawn. He specifically mentioned that local issues in Jagtial are under review and are expected to be resolved by tomorrow. He further clarified that Congress is contesting alone, with no alliances with any other political party.

Ministers must be on the field

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy issued a stern directive to his cabinet, ordering all ministers to remain in their respective districts until the polls concluded.

Daily Monitoring: Ministers must provide daily reports on campaign progress to the CM.

Troubleshooting: The CM analyzed survey data and identified "weak" municipalities, then assigned ministers to address the issues immediately.

Unified Front: Leaders were instructed to bridge the gap between "old" and "new" party members to prevent vote splitting.

Deployment: Senior leaders, including MLAs and MLCs from constituencies where no elections are being held, will be deployed as PCC Observers to polling areas starting tomorrow.

The CM emphasized that the responsibility for victory lies squarely with the Parliament constituency incharges, warning that any negligence in coordination would be viewed seriously by the party's "War Room."

The 2026 Telangana Municipal Elections

The 2026 municipal elections are being viewed as a "semi-final" and a crucial referendum on the two-year rule of the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government.

After a decade in the opposition, the Congress is looking to consolidate its power in urban areas, traditionally considered strongholds for the BRS and BJP.

Post-Panchayat Momentum

The ruling party is riding high after a strong performance in the December 2025 Gram Panchayat elections, where Congress-backed candidates reportedly won about 66% of the seats.

Opposition Strategy

The BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi) is fighting to reclaim its urban footprint to stay relevant, while the BJP is focusing on expanding its influence in the northern districts and Hyderabad's periphery.

Key Issues

The campaign is centered on the Congress government’s "Six Guarantees," including free bus travel for women, subsidized gas cylinders, and the Indiramma housing scheme. Meanwhile, the opposition is highlighting issues of urban infrastructure, drainage systems, and delayed local body funds.