Hung verdicts in multiple urban local bodies put spotlight on independents
Independent candidates have emerged as key players after hung verdicts in at least 30 urban local bodies in Telangana. With major parties short of majority, negotiations and efforts to win support have intensified ahead of elections for civic posts
Hyderabad: After the State Election Commission Telangana declared the municipal election results on Friday evening, independent candidates and those of other parties registered with the SEC have emerged as potential kingmakers following hung verdicts in at least 30 urban local bodies.
Of the 2,996 wards, independents won 183, while other SEC-registered parties secured 73. With major political parties failing to reach the required majority in around 30 ULBs, camp politics, negotiations and attempts to lure independents and opposition candidates have begun in several towns.
The special meetings to elect chairpersons and vice chairpersons, and mayors and deputy mayors, scheduled for Monday, will hinge on the votes of these independents as well as ex officio members. In Jangaon municipality, which has 30 wards, the BRS won 13, Congress 12, independents four and CPI(M) one. The votes of independents will be decisive in the election of the chairperson.
A similar situation prevails in several other ULBs, including Jagtial, Raikal, Metpally, Gadwal, Alampur, Kamareddy, Vemulawada, Jinnaram, Jammikunta, Asifabad, Kagaznagar, Bellampalli, Kyathanpalli, Mahabubabad, Kesamudram, Devarkadra, Aliabad, Yellampet, Narayanpet, Khanapur, Bodhan, Moinabad, Isnapur, Indresham, Kohir, Zaheerabad, Parigi, Amarchinta, Wardhannapet, Pochampally and Narsapur.
In Bhoodan Pochampally municipality in Yadadri Bhongir district, none of the major parties secured a majority in the 13-member body. Congress won six wards, BRS five and BJP one, while an independent won in one ward. As a result, the votes of ex officio members will be crucial in electing the chairperson. Congress is already working to secure the support of the ex officio member to claim the post.
Meanwhile, amid fears of poaching, several parties have shifted their councillors to undisclosed locations. In the Mahabubnagar Municipal Corporation, which has 60 divisions, parties have already moved candidates to secret locations. To secure the Mayor’s post, a party needs 31 seats. However, no party has achieved that mark, with Congress winning 28 divisions, BRS 16, BJP eight, AIMIM four and independents four.
The suspense over the Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections is expected to end on Monday.
Meanwhile, officials have been instructed that Form II notices to members may be issued until 12.30 pm on Saturday, as the elections for Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson are scheduled for February 16 at 12.30 pm. Under the Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019, notice of the date and hour of the special meeting must be given in Form II to the specified members at least one clear day in advance of the meeting fixed for the election, officials said.