Reservation reshuffle hits mayor and corporator hopefuls in Karimnagar

Municipal reservation changes in Karimnagar have disrupted political leaders’ plans for the upcoming elections. Aspirants from BJP, BRS, and Congress are considering shifting divisions or fielding family members, while social activities and voter outreach continue across wards.

Karimnagar: Municipal reservations have dampened the hopes of several political leaders who had prepared the ground to contest the upcoming municipal elections in the erstwhile Karimnagar district.

As part of the process to conduct elections to municipalities and municipal corporations in the State, the Municipal Administration Department has finalised reservations for chairpersons, divisions, and wards.

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Reservations of some chairpersons, divisions, and wards were changed due to various reasons. However, this has dashed the hopes of a few leaders who had been preparing to contest as chairpersons, corporators, and ward members.

While some aspirants are planning to shift to other areas, others are in a dilemma. A few candidates are attempting to field their wives in women-reserved seats, while upper caste aspirants have decided to stay away from the fray as their wards and divisions were reserved for Backward Classes.

With an eye on contesting the municipal elections, political leaders had begun wooing voters in their respective wards and divisions over the past year. Besides continuing various social activities, cordial relations were maintained with residents of their localities. Going a step further, some leaders donated money for Vinayaka pandals and hosted parties during the Dasara festival.

A week before the reservations were announced, one aspirant distributed chicken and cool drinks to every household in his ward in Korutla municipality. A few others organised parties for local youth on the pretext of different occasions.

Meanwhile, some leaders in the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation are planning to contest from other divisions after the reservations of their respective divisions were changed. BJP mayor aspirant Gugillapu Ramesh is contemplating contesting from the 14th division as his 55th division has been reserved for women, it is learnt. Similarly, BRS mayor aspirant Challa Harishnakar is planning to shift to the 46th division as his 47th division has been reserved for women. Congress mayor aspirant Mallikarjuna Rajender is also considering a move to the 46th division as his 47th division was reserved for women.

A number of mayoral and corporator aspirants are contemplating shifting to other places.