Congress misuses power to block BRS win in civic bodies’ elections

Ahead of mayoral and chairperson elections across Telangana, the BRS has accused the Congress and BJP of engineering backroom deals to edge it out of power in hung civic bodies, triggering tensions, allegations of coercion and political drama.

Hyderabad: As newly elected representatives in 116 municipalities and seven corporations prepare to take oath on Monday, the run-up to the indirect election of Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chairpersons and Vice-chairpersons has triggered a fresh political storm. The ruling Congress party is using every lever to block the BRS from staking claim in the hung and closely contested bodies.

In Thorrur municipality, where the BRS won 9 of 16 wards against the Congress party’s 7, the contest turned controversial after ex-officio votes of the local MLA and MP levelled the tally. The BRS alleged that Congress MP Kadiyam Kavya’s ex-officio vote was registered in violation of rules, despite earlier objections by officials.

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Tension escalated as Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy allegedly blocked BRS councillors from reaching the oath venue and reportedly attempted to kidnap them. Heavy police deployment and prohibitory orders underscored the fraught atmosphere.

In Amangal, despite the BRS securing a clear majority with 8 of 15 wards, the BJP and Congress are accused of stitching up an arrangement to deny it the chairperson’s post. Similar understandings were alleged in Medak, Narsapur and Sirpur Khagaznagar, pointing to a clear Congress-BJP nexus to keep the BRS out of power in hung municipalities.

Through back-stage understandings, sources said the Congress is making all efforts to take control over 12 municipalities and at least one municipal corporation where a hung result is expected. The Congress and the BJP reportedly adopted “give and take” policy in certain civic bodies, to keep the BRS at bay. These include Medak Municipal Corporation, Toopran, Narsapur and Metpally municipalities.

In Mahabubnagar, internal Congress rivalry over the Mayor’s post led to the arrest of a party leader and former chairman Anand Goud, exposing fissures even as the party attempts to consolidate numbers elsewhere.

Tensions peaked Sunday night in Kyatanapally, where BRS and CPI councillors alleged attempts by Congress workers, aided by police action, to disrupt their camp. Former MP Balka Suman shifted them to his residence to safeguard.

Meanwhile, the BRS secured Gummadidala, Jinnaram and Gaddapotharam municipalities in Patancheru constituency. In Karimnagar Municipal Corporation, the BRS decided to refrain from voting as the BJP and the Congress are contesting for the Mayor’s post.

With chairperson and mayoral elections hours away, the battle has shifted from ballot to backroom — raising questions about democratic propriety and the emerging Congress-BJP tactical alignments aimed at isolating the BRS.