Congress sweeps Telangana civic polls decisively
Congress won nearly twice BRS’s tally, while BJP celebrated victories in two key municipal corporations.
Telangana Municipal Polls: Congress Sweeps Streets, BJP Bites Back, BRS Bruised—but the People’s Verdict Steals the Show
Hyderabad buzzed on Friday, February 13, as vote counts from Telangana’s municipal elections painted a vivid picture of shifting sands. Congress romped home with 84 of 123 urban local bodies, snagging 3,074 of 5,992 wards—a near-double thumping of K Chandrasekhar Rao’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which limped to 25 bodies and 1,562 seats. BJP grabbed third with six bodies and 672 wards; AIMIM one body and 140 seats; independents scooped 366. Over 73% voters turned out on February 11—folks braving lines for pothole fixes and park promises. It’s grassroots democracy at its sweatiest, most hopeful best.
Congress eyed five of seven municipal corporations: Mancherial (44/60 wards), Ramagundam (38, crushing BRS’s 13), Kothagudem, Mahabubnagar, and Nalgonda. In northern pockets like Adilabad (11 seats strong), they dominated; central Telangana’s Nalgonda, Suryapet, Khammam fell easy; south’s Mahabubnagar trio (Dharmapuri all 15, Kosgi all 16, Nagarkurnool 18) was a clean sweep. Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu beamed: “People trust our people-centric governance—education, health, jobs, infra. This is their pat on the back.” Revanth Reddy’s squad, out of urban power since 2014, proved they can win local hearts again.
BJP’s joy was electric—they’re poised for two corporations, a first in Telangana’s mayoral game. Karimnagar? 30/66 wards, with five rebel independents likely tipping the scale. Bandi Sanjay Kumar crowed to the media: “Saffron flag over Karimnagar soon—and Hyderabad next! Critics say I talk only Hindutva; tell that to Modi’s ₹1,500 crore pour into development. Congress and BRS? Zero paise.” Nizamabad (28/60) edged Congress (17) and AIMIM (14), setting up a nail-biter. For a party scratching for southern roots, this foothold sparks dreams of bigger footprints—think Assembly polls buzz.
AIMIM, Asaduddin Owaisi’s crew, led Bhainsa (12/26 wards) in Nirmal district, plus 140 seats in Muslim-heavy zones. Majority? They’ll horse-trade with seven independents. It’s classic Old City grit—holding turf amid giants.
BRS, once kings since Telangana’s birth, nursed wounds. They clung to Sircilla (27 seats), Gummadidala (15), Sangareddy, Medak—but lost strongholds. KTR, the fiery working president, spun silver linings: “We won 122/130 mayors last time; now direct 15 bodies, single-largest in 10-15 more. Positive verdict!
State Election Commission tallied 5,990/5,992 wards across 116 municipalities, seven corporations—two Mahabubnagar seats razor-thin. Security was tight from 8 AM; notifications for chairs/mayors drop Saturday, oaths February 16. Newly elected will pick leaders same day.
This isn’t dry stats; it’s your street’s future. Congress’s haul means faster drains in monsoons, better schools in slums. BJP’s surge? Saffron push for temples, roads in Karimnagar. AIMIM guards minority voices; independents shake complacency. BRS fights irrelevance. Over 73% turnout screams: people care—about garbage trucks on time, streetlights at night, parks for kids.
Feel the human pulse? In Mancherial’s dusty wards, Congress wins signal jobs from mines. Ramagundam’s industrial hum gets pink Congress boost. Nizamabad’s clash? Families whisper alliances over chai. Bandi Sanjay’s boast fires up saffron youth; KTR’s optimism rallies diehards. Vikramarka’s words warm Congress faithful.
Telangana’s urban mosaic shifted—Congress consolidates, BJP plants flags, BRS recalibrates. For you, the voter queuing in scorching sun? Cleaner colonies, responsive leaders. As councillors oath in, Hyderabad watches: will promises pave potholes, or politics pothole promises? The people’s mandate hums loud—service first, egos second.