Telangana municipal polls see sharp North–South political divide
HYDERABAD: The battle for municipal bodies in Telangana has intensified, with a clear political divide emerging between north and south Telangana even as the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi lock horns across the state.
Congress faces BJP in north, BRS in south
While all three major parties are in direct contest, the Congress is primarily pitted against the BJP in north Telangana and against the BRS in the southern districts. The BJP has focused its campaign largely on north Telangana, banking on the presence of three MPs and seven MLAs from the region to step up its outreach.
The party has trained its sights on the Karimnagar and Nizamabad municipal corporations, prompting the Congress to deploy in-charge ministers and senior leaders to prevent any slip. Strategic efforts are under way to retain control of both corporations.
Amid speculation of a tacit understanding between the BRS and the BJP, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has campaigned extensively in Karimnagar and Nizamabad, alleging that both parties were “two sides of the same coin”. He said voting for either would amount to “throwing the vote into the Musi”.
In south Telangana, the ruling Congress believes it faces only nominal resistance from the BRS and has set itself the target of winning all municipalities and corporations. Ministers, MLAs, MLCs and senior leaders have been mobilised, with party headquarters Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad witnessing hectic activity over the past three days.
BRS campaign limited to core strongholds
With BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao largely confined to his farmhouse, the burden of campaigning has fallen on K. T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao. Political observers say the party’s focus appears restricted to winning Sircilla, Siddipet and Gajwel.
Internal debate has intensified within the BRS over this limited focus. Adding to the party’s troubles, K. Kavitha, who recently broke away, has levelled sharp allegations against KCR, KTR and Harish Rao, citing issues ranging from the Kaleshwaram project to phone tapping.
North Telangana: Congress vs BJP
In several parts of north Telangana, the contest between the Congress and the BJP is head-on. Of the six Lok Sabha seats in the four erstwhile northern districts, the Congress and the BJP hold three each. Of the BJP’s eight MLAs statewide, seven are from north Telangana.
Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Nizamabad MP D. Arvind and other BJP leaders are campaigning aggressively in their respective constituencies. The region has four key corporations — Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Ramagundam and Mancherial — and 42 municipalities, covering 1,235 wards.
The BJP is focusing on the three districts where it sees greater prospects, while largely sidelining the Warangal region. Bandi Sanjay is spearheading the Karimnagar campaign, Arvind is leading the push in Nizamabad, and MP Soyam Bapu Rao is focusing on Adilabad and surrounding municipalities.
Congress bets on women and minorities
The Congress is banking on consolidated support from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and minorities, and expects women voters to turn out in large numbers in its favour. Party leaders believe that a triangular contest involving the BJP and the BRS in north Telangana could work to the Congress’ advantage.
In corporations such as Karimnagar and Nizamabad, the Congress hopes to cross the line with support from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and ex-officio votes if it falls marginally short of a majority. However, the Chief Minister has directed leaders not to rely solely on such support and instead aim for a clear majority.
In-charge ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy, Tummala Nageswara Rao and Jupally Krishna Rao, along with Pradesh Congress Committee president Mahesh Kumar Goud, are camping locally to finalise strategies.
Congress surge in south Telangana
Compared to the north, Congress leaders are confident of an easy run in south Telangana. The party sees the united districts of Khammam, Nalgonda, Medak, Mahabubnagar and Rangareddy as strongholds, represented by leaders including Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy.
Elections are being held to 74 municipalities and the corporations of Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar and Bhadradri Kothagudem. BJP MPs Raghunandan Rao and D. K. Aruna are leading campaigns in their respective parliamentary segments.
The BJP launched its campaign in Mahabubnagar on Wednesday with a public meeting addressed by national president J. P. Nadda.
The BRS, which suffered heavy losses in the south during the last Assembly elections, is yet to recover. In the united Medak district, where the party expects a tougher contest, ministers Vivek Venkataswamy and Ponnam Prabhakar are overseeing the campaign.
Corporation-wise snapshot
Karimnagar: BJP is expected to win 20–25 of 66 divisions, Congress 15–20, BRS 10–15, AIMIM 6–8, independents 3–6, with one seat possibly going to the Forward Bloc. A clear majority for a single party appears unlikely.
Nizamabad: A tight Congress–BJP contest across 60 divisions. Congress looks strong in about 20 divisions and may rely on AIMIM support.
Nalgonda: Congress is projected to win around 30 of 48 wards, with BJP and BRS unlikely to cross 10 seats each.
Mahabubnagar: A triangular fight among Congress, BJP and BRS, with AIMIM contesting 16 minority-dominated divisions. Congress is seen as a strong mayoral contender with AIMIM backing.
Bhadradri Kothagudem: Congress leads but faces stiff competition from the CPI, amid concerns over leadership gaps and possible understandings between rival parties.
Mancherial: A three-cornered contest, with Congress expected to win around 40 of 60 divisions and likely secure the mayor’s post.
Ramagundam: Congress is projected to win 35–45 of 60 divisions, aided by weak BRS candidates in several wards.
