Telangana municipal polls see local alliances, not high command deals
HYDERABAD: With no clarity at the high command level on alliances, major parties are finalising tie-ups locally for the upcoming municipal elections in Telangana. Decisions are being taken corporation by corporation and municipality by municipality, based on local political equations.
In several towns, the ruling Congress Party has entered into understandings with Left parties. In contrast, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi has tied up with different parties in different places, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Telugu Desam Party.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, which is preparing to contest on its own, is focusing on urban local bodies with a significant Muslim population. These include Karimnagar and Nizamabad municipal corporations, as well as Bodhan and Bhainsa municipalities.
Candidate selection gains pace
With nominations under way, all parties have stepped up the process of selecting candidates. In the ruling party, in-charge ministers have taken charge of finalising candidate lists at the local body level.
The Congress is making arrangements to issue B-forms on February 2. Sources said preparations are being made to complete candidate selection before that date to avoid confusion on the ground.
Candidate selection in the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and the Bharatiya Janata Party has also reached the final stage. Party leaders said lists are likely to be announced shortly.
Rush of nominations raises concerns
The absence of clarity on official candidates has resulted in a large number of aspirants filing nominations across parties. This trend is particularly visible in several municipalities, where multiple contenders from the same party are entering the fray, raising the risk of internal dissent and rebel candidates.
Meanwhile, the two Left parties continue to take divergent paths, with the CPM’s local alliance strategy drawing attention within political circles.
