Nizamabad mayor race heads for number game

NIZAMABAD: The contest for the mayor’s post in the Nizamabad Municipal Corporation has turned into a direct fight between Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) once again emerging as a potential kingmaker.

AIMIM emerges central to post-poll arithmetic

With no clear majority likely, political circles say post-election calculations and ex-officio votes could decide the outcome. Going by the results of the last two elections and the current political climate, a number game appears inevitable. AIMIM’s seat tally, along with ex-officio votes, is expected to play a decisive role.

The contest is being widely viewed as TPCC president Mahesh Goud versus Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Arvind. In the last two elections, the mayor’s post was decided only after intense negotiations, with AIMIM playing kingmaker on both occasions. The party also secured the deputy mayor’s post in both terms.

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Seat projections and magic figure

This time, AIMIM is expected to win between 15 and 17 divisions. The party is contesting only 21 divisions where it has a strong base. Except for 20 divisions along Bodhan Road, the remaining 40 divisions are witnessing a close contest between Congress and BJP.

Congress is contesting all 60 divisions, while AIMIM is in 21. Jana Sena Party, CPI(M) and MNS are contesting three divisions each. As many as 108 independent candidates are also in the fray, apart from candidates from other registered parties.

To secure the mayor’s post, both national parties must achieve the magic figure largely from these 40 divisions. Congress, even if it wins around 15 seats, could form the council with AIMIM’s support. BJP, however, would need to win at least 28 divisions to reach the majority mark with the help of ex-officio votes.

Ex-officio votes could tilt balance

At present, BJP has five ex-officio members MP Dharmapuri Arvind, Nizamabad Urban MLA Dhanpal Suryanarayana Gupta, Armur MLA Paidi Rakesh Reddy, graduates’ MLC Chinnamile Anji Reddy and teachers’ MLC Malka Komuraiah.

Congress has two ex-officio members Nizamabad Rural MLA Dr Bhoopathi Reddy and MLC Mahesh Kumar. Seats won by Bharat Rashtra Samithi and independents could also become crucial if they secure two or three divisions.

Corporation background

Nizamabad municipality was upgraded to a municipal corporation in 2005. Since then, three mayors have served. The first mayor, Jai, served from 2005 to 2010. This was followed by a brief period of special officer administration. Akula Sujatha served as mayor from 2014 to 2019, and Dandu Neethu Kiran from 2020 to 2025, both from BRS.

The Nizamabad mayor’s post is currently reserved for a general woman candidate.