Hung verdicts make BJP’s support crucial in five municipal bodies in erstwhile Medak

The municipal elections in erstwhile Medak district have left both the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Congress short of majority in five municipalities, making the BJP a decisive player despite winning fewer wards.

Sangareddy: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Congress party are both in a tough situation in five municipalities in erstwhile Medak district, as neither is in a position to form municipal bodies in these municipalities without the support of the BJP, an ideological rival for both parties.

Though the BJP won comparatively fewer wards than the two major parties, there is no way either the BRS or Congress can form the bodies without its backing. Taking advantage of the situation, the BJP, which won fewer wards, is reportedly insisting on key posts in these municipalities.

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In Narsapur municipality, the Congress and BRS won six and five wards respectively, while the BJP secured four out of 15 wards. Unless the BJP extends support to either of these parties, forming the municipal body will not be possible.

Though the BRS has an additional vote in the form of MLA V Sunitha Lakshma Reddy, who was enrolled as an ex-officio member, it still requires eight votes to secure control of the municipality.

Similarly, in Medak municipality, the BJP won two wards, while the BRS and Congress secured 15 and 14 respectively out of 32 wards.

The solitary BSP councillor-elect joined the Congress hours after her victory, while party MLA Mynampally Rohit also was enrolled as an ex-officio member, increasing the Congress tally to 16, while the BRS remained at 15. BJP support will be crucial in electing the chairperson and vice-chairperson for either party.

In Jinnaram municipality, the BRS emerged as the single largest party by winning eight wards out of 20, while the Congress secured six wards.

The BJP and independents won four and two wards respectively. Even if the BRS secures the support of two independents, it will still fall short by one vote, making BJP support crucial.

In Zaheerabad municipality, the BRS emerged as the single largest party by securing 15 wards out of 37, while the Congress came a close second with 14 wards.

The BJP, MIM and independents, who won three, two and three wards respectively, will play a decisive role. While the BRS has an ex-officio vote in the form of MLA K Manik Rao, the Congress has an ex-officio member in MP Suresh Shetkar.

In Isnapur municipality, the situation has become more complicated. Though the BJP did not win any ward, BJP MP from Medak, Raghunandan Rao,  was enrolled as an ex-officio member. The BRS won 12 wards out of 26, while the Congress secured 10 wards.

Independents, who won four wards, have become crucial in deciding the chairperson and vice-chairperson posts. While one independent joined the BRS, the remaining three reportedly shifted to the Congress camp.

Patancheru MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy, who supports the BRS, also was enrolled as an ex-officio member. With this, the BRS tally increased to 14, while the Congress tally rose to 13. Raghunandan Rao’s vote is expected to play a decisive role in Isnapur.