Telangana

BRSLP deputy leader T. Harish Rao condemned the arrest of former BRS MLA Balka Suman, accusing the Congress government of undermining democracy in Kyathanpally. He demanded SEC intervention to ensure Suman’s release and a free, fair municipal chairman election.

BJP state council member Akula Srinivas said the party is ready to form a coalition with the BRS in Khanapur municipality, offering vice-chairperson or co-opted members in exchange for support in the chairperson election, following a hung verdict and postponed meetings.

BRSV district president Badikela Shravan condemned the arrest of BRS leader Balka Suman, alleging political vendetta by the Congress, and called for a day-long bandh of educational institutions across the district in protest.

Despite the launch of a fertiliser booking app to ease urea distribution, farmers continue to face hardships due to smartphone dependence, OTP delays and limited stocks, with tenant farmers struggling the most due to absentee landowners.

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao condemned the arrest of former MLA Balka Suman, calling it illegal and politically motivated, and accused the Congress of misusing police and officials to manipulate municipal elections across Telangana.

BRS district president Balka Suman and three others were remanded to 14-day judicial custody in connection with the Kyathanpalli municipal chairperson row. Police cited unlawful assembly and rioting charges, while a BRS–CPI bandh in the town remained peaceful

A wild bison that accidentally fell into an agricultural well at Odepalli village near Karimnagar was rescued by police and forest officials following an alert from locals and later released into a safer location.

Women emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of reservations in the recently held municipal elections in the erstwhile Medak district, securing 13 of 19 chairperson posts and a majority of vice-chairperson and ward positions across municipalities.

A CPI (Maoist) area committee member from South Bastar surrendered before Kothagudem police under Operation Cheyutha. Police said 359 Maoist cadres have surrendered since January 2025 and are availing rehabilitation benefits provided by the Telangana government.

ProteinX, an AI-powered CAD copilot developed by BV Raju Institute of Technology students, won second runner-up at the OpenAI Academy x NxtWave Buildathon during the India AI Impact Summit. The team received Rs 2 lakh and recognition for innovation using LLMs.

A 30-year-old software professional was allegedly killed by her former husband in Vanasthalipuram. Police suspect personal disputes following their divorce may have led to the attack. The accused has been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway.

Panic gripped villages in Ellanthakunta mandal of Sircilla district after a tiger killed four cattle in Thippapuram. Forest officials and wildlife experts are tracking the animal using drones, while villagers have been advised to avoid fields during early mornings and evenings.

The arrival time of the Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express has been revised by five minutes. From February 20, 2026, Train No. 20707 will reach Visakhapatnam at 1.50 pm to help reduce congestion and improve platform management.

The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Hyderabad will meet this evening to confirm the sighting of the crescent moon, which will determine the start of Ramzan. While Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries began observing Ramzan on Wednesday, Hyderabad is expected to follow from Thursday, subject to the committee’s announcement.

The University of Hyderabad’s Department of Theatre Arts participated in the silver jubilee Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026. Its student production, Ek Khoon Sau Baatein 2, was staged in Hyderabad and Delhi, earning appreciation from audiences and theatre practitioners.

Celebrated classical and devotional singer Malavika Anand, an All India Radio graded artist, will perform at Sri Narsimha Swamy Temple, Yadgirigutta, on February 22 as part of the temple’s annual Brahmotsavalu.

A hoax bomb threat email sent to the Administrative Officer of Karimnagar district court on Wednesday prompted immediate police action. No explosives were found, and the threat was confirmed as a false alarm.

The extended SSC Class X exam schedule, with three- to five-day gaps between papers, has drawn objections from teachers who fear students may lose focus. The government has introduced an action plan to ensure students use the break days for revision and practice.

The Telangana government’s Voluntary Vehicle Fleet Modernisation Policy (VVMP), aimed at phasing out ageing and polluting vehicles, has seen limited success in Hyderabad. Despite incentives such as tax concessions and waiver of penalties, only about 30 vehicles are scrapped monthly.

Businessmen in Hyderabad are organising month-long Ramzan shopping fairs featuring celebrities and influencers. Religious scholars, however, argue that such events dilute the sanctity of the holy month, urging the community to avoid them.

A spate of bomb threat emails sent to courts in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh caused widespread panic on Wednesday. The CBI court in Nampally, Hyderabad, was evacuated after receiving a hoax email, while similar threats were reported in Rajamahendravaram and Karimnagar.

The Election Commission of India has announced biennial Rajya Sabha elections to fill two seats from Telangana, with polling scheduled for March 16, 2026. The terms of Abhishek Manu Singhvi (Congress) and KR Suresh Reddy (BRS) end on April 9.

The prime suspect in the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Annamayya district was found dead in a lake on Wednesday. Following a massive manhunt, police suspect Kulavardhan died by suicide after the victim's body was discovered at his home

The BRS-CPI alliance enforced a day-long bandh in Kyathanpalli, Mancherial, protesting alleged misconduct by Congress councillors towards women colleagues. Shops and schools remained shut, while leaders including Balka Suman faced police action.