Telangana civic polls: Congress secures 5 Corporations; BJP wins Karimnagar, Congress–AIMIM claim Nizamabad

Hyderabad: The Congress party strengthened its grip over urban local bodies in Telangana by winning the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts in Ramagundam, Mancherial and Mahabubnagar Municipal Corporations.

Apart from that the Congress also secured the Mayor’s position in Nizamabad and Nalgonda with the support of AIMIM and other allies.

The elections to the top civic posts were held on Monday, following the declaration of municipal poll results on February 13.

While Congress emerged dominant in most corporations, the BJP wrested control of the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation, and the CPI secured the Mayor’s post in Kothagudem under a power-sharing arrangement with Congress.

Congress performance

In Ramagundam, Congress candidates Mahankali Swami and Patipalli Ellayya were elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively, reflecting the party’s clear majority in the corporation.

Similarly, in Mancherial, Dharani Madhukar was elected Mayor and Salla Ramya Mahesh Deputy Mayor without contest, as the party enjoyed comfortable numbers.

In Mahabubnagar, Gumalla Mamatha assumed charge as Mayor and M Surender Reddy as Deputy Mayor after the oath-taking ceremony of corporators.

The election process in all three corporations was completed smoothly.

Nizamabad: Congress-AIMIM combine secures victory

In the 65-member Nizamabad Municipal Corporation, including corporators and ex officio members, Congress candidate Kuragayala Uma Rani was elected Mayor, while AIMIM’s Salma Tahseen became Deputy Mayor.

The election, conducted by show of hands, saw 34 members vote in favour of the Congress-AIMIM combine, while BJP candidates secured 31 votes. The proceedings began at 11 am as per State Election Commission guidelines and were conducted under tight supervision, including video recording.

District Election Authority and Collector Ila Tripathi oversaw the process. RDO Rajendra Kumar acted as presiding officer. Police made elaborate security arrangements.

In the district’s municipalities:

Bodhan: Thumu Padma Sharath Reddy (Chairperson), Ilyas Ali (Vice-Chairperson)

Armoor: Lahari Swamy (Chairperson), Katipalli Venkat Reddy (Vice-Chairperson)

Bheemgal: B. Nagamani Swamy (Chairperson), Latha (Vice-Chairperson)

Nalgonda: Unanimous election for Mayor

In Nalgonda Municipal Corporation, Burri Chaitanya Srinivas Reddy of Congress was elected Mayor unanimously, while Mohammed Ashraf Ali (AIMIM) was elected Deputy Mayor.

Out of 48 divisions, Congress won 27 and secured the backing of three All India Forward Party members, taking its strength to 30. Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy exercised his vote as an ex-officio member. The election was conducted peacefully.

Karimnagar: BJP turns tables

In a closely watched contest, the BJP clinched both top posts in the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation.

Kolagani Srinivas (2nd Division) was elected Mayor, while former Mayor Y Sunil Rao became Deputy Mayor. The BJP, which had won 30 seats in the 66-division corporation, increased its tally to 34 with the support of three independents and the ex-officio vote of Karimnagar MP and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

Nine BRS corporators abstained from voting, effectively lowering the majority mark and paving the way for the BJP’s victory. Congress candidate Akula Narmada secured 21 votes, backed by Congress members, AIMIM corporators and independents. The absence of key ex-officio members also influenced the outcome.

Kothagudem: CPI-Congress power sharing formula

In Kothagudem Municipal Corporation, CPI candidate Mood Ganesh was elected Mayor, while Congress nominee Siripurapu Lalitha Kumari became Deputy Mayor.

Following negotiations, Congress and CPI agreed to share the Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts for two-and-a-half years each. As per the agreement, CPI assumed the Mayor’s post first.

Overall political outcome

Of the seven municipal corporations, Congress directly secured control in three and formed alliances to lead in two more, reinforcing its urban political base.

BJP registered a significant win in Karimnagar, while CPI gained leadership in Kothagudem through a negotiated arrangement. AIMIM played a decisive role in Nizamabad and Nalgonda.

The elections across all corporations and municipalities were conducted peacefully under official supervision with adequate security arrangements.