The political landscape in Telangana shifted further in favor of the Congress on Tuesday, with the party clinching seven more municipalities in a fiercely contested urban local body election process. The main opposition, BRS, notched a win in just one civic body, Indresham, as the results continued to unfold. Disruptions marred the day: three municipalities deferred chairperson and vice-chairperson polls due to quorum shortfalls and scuffles between rival party workers, echoing Monday’s violence-plagued delays. Critics from the opposition camp have slammed the Congress for alleged rowdyism and subverting democratic norms.
High drama unfolded in Jangaon and Thorur, where equal vote counts necessitated lotteries—and luck sided with Congress. Straightforward victories came in Yellandu, Sultanabad, Dornakal, and Zahirabad. With BJP backing, Kágaznagar joined the Congress fold, offsetting BRS’s Indresham success.
Ibrahimpatnam’s BRS chairperson election hit a snag with a High Court intervention, stalling proceedings. In Thorur’s 16-seat council, BRS led 9-7 until ex-officio votes from MLA Yashaswini Reddy and MP Kavya leveled it at 9-9. Congress’s Shravana emerged victorious via draw, sparking BRS outrage led by E. Dayakar Rao over the voting legitimacy.
Jangaon’s 30-member house was a nail-biter: BRS’s 13 wards + 2 independents + MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy equaled 16. Congress countered with 12 wards + 1 CPI + 2 independents + MP Kiran Kumar Reddy for 16. Lottery crowned Balamani chairperson; a BRS-supported independent took vice-chairperson.
Congress now controls 91 of the 116 municipalities polled on February 11, results declared February 13. They dominated 66 outright, forged alliances for 25. BRS holds 18, BJP 1, independents 3. Municipal corporations mirrored this: Congress double wins in four; shared Kothagudem with CPI; Nizamabad split with AIMIM; BJP took Karimnagar via independents.
These outcomes highlight Congress’s expanding influence in Telangana’s civic governance, potentially reshaping local power dynamics ahead of future electoral battles.