Telangana municipal polls see 6,701 nomination withdrawals
HYDERABAD: The nomination withdrawal process for the Telangana municipal elections ended on Tuesday, marked by tense scenes across several municipalities and corporations. Persuasion, protests, threats, jostling and open defiance were reported as parties struggled to contain internal dissent.
Despite last-minute efforts by major parties to convince rebels to withdraw, several candidates remained in the fray as independents. After the process concluded, 12,993 candidates are contesting 2,996 wards across the state. A total of 6,701 candidates withdrew their nominations.
Multiple candidates trigger turmoil within parties
The deadline for withdrawals for the municipal elections scheduled on March 11 ended at 3 pm on Tuesday. In several wards, four to five candidates from the same party filed nominations, leading to dramatic developments and public confrontations.
In Gadwal, differences surfaced between the camps of MLA Krishna Mohan Reddy and Congress leader Sarita. On Tuesday morning, Krishna Mohan Reddy issued B-Forms to Congress candidates, triggering discontent among rival groups.
Protests erupt in towns and districts
In Kodad town of Suryapet district, residents staged a road protest demanding that elections be held instead of declaring their ward unanimous. Similar unrest was reported in several urban pockets.
In Jagtial, an internal adjustment within the Congress sparked controversy. Senior leader Jeevan Reddy alleged that Bharat Rashtra Samithi MLAs issued B-Forms to favoured candidates, expressing strong resentment over the move.
Across parts of the undivided Karimnagar district, aspiring candidates staged protests outside the houses of Bharat Rashtra Samithi leaders after being denied party tickets.
Campaign set to intensify from Wednesday
With the withdrawal phase complete, campaigning is set to pick up pace from Wednesday. Senior leaders from major parties are expected to hit the ground.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is scheduled to address a public meeting near Miryalaguda, while Bharatiya Janata Party national president Nitin Nabin is set to visit Mahabubnagar as part of the campaign.
