In a bold prediction ahead of the upcoming urban local body polls, Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Saturday expressed supreme confidence in his party's prospects. He stated that the Congress is poised to secure a staggering 90% of municipalities and municipal corporations in the state, with elections anticipated around mid-February.
Congress Strategy and Confidence Based on Recent Wins
Goud outlined that the party plans to approach the civic elections with a meticulously crafted strategy. He emphasized the importance of strong coordination among ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Legislative Council (MLCs), Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents, and grassroots party workers at the Urban Local Body (ULB) level.
This confidence, he explained, stems from recent electoral performances. The Congress leader pointed to the party's success in local body elections, where it secured nearly 70% of seats in sarpanch and ward member polls. He also highlighted the significant victory in the Jubilee Hills by-election, which the party won by an impressive margin of nearly 25,000 votes. Goud described these results as clear indicators of public endorsement for the Congress government's development and welfare agenda.
Welfare Agenda as the Winning Mantra
Goud credited the government's array of welfare initiatives for building this strong public support base. He detailed several key schemes that he believes are resonating with voters across both rural and urban areas.
For the farming community, flagship programs like the ₹21,000-crore crop loan waiver and the Rythu Bharosa income support scheme have provided substantial relief. For urban residents, the government has rolled out multiple benefits:
- Establishment of Young India Integrated Residential Schools in every assembly constituency.
- Distribution of fine rice through the public distribution system (ration shops).
- Free bus travel for women across the state.
- Sanction of Indiramma houses for the underprivileged.
- Provision of 200 units of free electricity to eligible households.
- Supply of LPG cylinders at a subsidized rate of ₹500.
Goud added that the government has concrete plans to further strengthen infrastructure and civic amenities in urban local bodies, addressing core municipal issues.
Political Counterattacks and Allegations
The Congress president did not shy away from launching political offensives. He strongly condemned what he called baseless allegations made against minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and women IAS officers, cautioning the public against the spread of fabricated news on social media platforms.
In a sharp critique of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Goud questioned its repeated invocation of Lord Ram for political mileage. "Is Lord Sri Ram a member of the BJP party? How can the BJP use his name for selfish political gains," he wondered aloud.
Turning his focus to the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, Goud demanded that senior BRS leaders KT Rama Rao and T Harish Rao respond to allegations of corruption made by Telangana Jagruti leader K Kavitha regarding the former regime's tenure. He accused the BRS government of operating like a real estate dealer, alleging indiscriminate sale of land in and around Hyderabad during its rule.
As the state gears up for the crucial civic polls, the Congress's assertive stance and reliance on its welfare record set the stage for a highly contested battle for control of Telangana's urban governance.
