Congress Secures Dominant Victory in Telangana Municipal Chairperson Elections
In a significant political development, the ruling Congress party has emerged victorious in chairperson elections for seven out of eight municipalities where polls were conducted on Tuesday. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) managed to secure only one chairperson post in Indresham, located in Sangareddy district.
Deferred Elections and Procedural Drama
Elections for chairperson and vice-chairperson positions have been postponed once again in three municipalities: Ibrahimpatnam, Kyatanpally, and Khanapur. This deferral occurred amidst considerable political tension and procedural complications that disrupted the electoral process.
To date, elections for these municipal leadership positions have been successfully completed in 113 municipalities across Telangana. The Congress party currently leads with an impressive tally of 88 wins, followed by BRS with 19 victories. Independent candidates have secured four positions, while the BJP and All India Forward Bloc have each won one chairperson post.
Contentious Polling and Court Interventions
The election in Ibrahimpatnam proved particularly contentious. The election officer proceeded with the poll after BRS councillor Yadagiri, who had been reported missing, appeared at the last possible moment. Although Teku Sudarshan Reddy of BRS was declared the winner, the election officer withheld the official certificate following a stay order on the poll process issued by the Telangana High Court until February 19.
In Ibrahimpatnam's municipal composition, BRS had won 13 divisions, Congress secured eight, and an independent candidate won one. Local MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy registered himself as an ex officio member within the municipality.
Violence and Postponements
The Kyathanpally election faced postponement due to violent clashes between party workers. BRS leaders alleged that Congress workers hurled stones at former MLA Balka Suman, who subsequently engaged in a heated argument with police when they prevented him from entering the municipal office premises.
Interestingly, both BRS and CPI leaders and councillors in Kyathanpally demanded that elections proceed without delay, as they had reached a power-sharing agreement. Meanwhile, the Khanapur poll was deferred due to a lack of quorum, as no consensus could be reached on the chairperson candidate.
Draw of Lots Decides Close Contests
In Jangaon and Thorur municipalities, where both Congress and BRS candidates found themselves in a stalemate with equal numbers of votes, the Congress party emerged victorious through draws of lots.
In Jangaon, which has 30 wards total, BRS won 13 wards. With support from two independents and ex officio member Palla Rajeshwara Reddy, BRS reached 16 votes. Congress won 12 wards and secured support from two independents, plus a vote from CPM and ex officio member Bhongir MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, also totaling 16 votes. The subsequent draw of lots favored Congress candidate Balamani, who became chairperson.
Similarly, in Thorur's 16 wards, BRS won nine and Congress seven. With two ex officio members belonging to Congress—Palakurthy MLA Yashswisini Reddy and Warangal MP Kadiyam Kavya—Congress reached nine votes, creating another tie with BRS. The lottery again favored Congress, with candidate Sravan declared chairperson.
Smooth Election in Indresham
The election in Indresham proceeded smoothly without incident, resulting in BRS securing the chairperson post. Congress won chairperson positions in Zaheerabad, Dornakal, Sultanabad, Kagaznagar, and Yellandu municipalities, consolidating their dominant position in the state's local governance structures.
