Telangana

Despite being in power, the Congress failed to convert municipal polls into a clean sweep, as the BRS staged a strong comeback from the opposition, retaining its urban base and signalling growing public discontent midway through the government’s term

In a dramatic turn of events, the BRS clinched victories in three wards across Medak district that ended in ties after multiple rounds of counting. In Dubbak, Toopran and Narsapur municipalities, Returning Officers resorted to coin tosses and drawing lots to break deadlocks between BRS and Congress candidates.

For the first time, the Maha Shivaratri jatara of the Sri Rajarajeshwara Swamy temple in Vemulawada will be held at the Bheemeshwara Swamy temple due to ongoing renovation works. Scheduled from February 14 to 16, the three-day fair is expected to draw lakhs of devotees from Telangana and neighbouring states.

The BRS has won both municipalities in the Gajwel constituency, represented by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao. In Gajwel, the party secured 11 of 20 wards, while Congress won seven, BJP one, and an Independent one.

Despite being in power and mounting an aggressive campaign, the Congress failed to replicate the BRS’s 2020 municipal sweep, with the opposition putting up a strong fight and preventing a landslide, reflecting growing public unease with the ruling party

Former MLA Vanama Venkateswara Rao accused the Congress of kidnapping BRS corporator Guguloth Rambabu from the 32nd division of Kothagudem Municipal Corporation. The incident reportedly occurred while Rambabu was at the former MLA’s residence in Old Paloncha.

The Kothagudem Municipal Corporation delivered a hung verdict with Congress and CPI winning 22 divisions each, BRS eight, independents six, and BJP one.

The civic poll results in erstwhile Adilabad district dealt a setback to the ruling Congress, which had predicted a strong performance. Six municipalities, including Adilabad and Bhainsa, delivered hung verdicts, leaving independents, BJP and AIMIM in decisive positions.

Kamalapuram Gitanjali, wife of suspended constable Ramesh, won a ward in Cheriyal Municipality for the BRS, overcoming allegations, pressure and controversy, as the party secured a majority and prepared to form the civic body

Tension gripped Khammam after BRS and CPI (M) cadres staged a protest at the Edulapuram counting centre, accusing election officials of bias for refusing recount requests in wards where BRS candidates lost by narrow margins of five and eight votes.

Forest officials in Telangana have stepped up efforts to capture a tiger that has been roaming across Siddipet, Jangaon and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts for over a month, killing 18 cattle in 12 villages.

Tension flared in Jangaon after Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy allegedly attempted to abduct an independent candidate who had pledged support to the BRS.

BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao described the party’s victory in over 700 municipal wards as a clear sign of public dissatisfaction with the Congress government in Telangana. He vowed that BRS would continue to hold the Congress accountable.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao dismissed Congress’s claim of a landslide victory in the Telangana municipal polls, arguing that the ruling party secured only about 60 per cent of urban local bodies. He highlighted hung verdicts in several councils and accused Congress of irregularities and inducements.

The BRS claimed victory in 11 of the 19 municipalities in the erstwhile Medak district, securing majorities in Cheriyal, Dubbak, Gajwel, Toopran, Gaddapotharam and Gummadidala. With support from Independents, the party is set to form municipal bodies in Zaheerabad, Medak, Indresham, Isnapur and Jinnaram.

A dramatic turn unfolded in Jogulamba Gadwal’s municipal elections when the BRS candidate Jayamma, initially declared winner in the eighth ward, lost by a single vote after a recount demanded by Congress candidate Venkatamma.

Mild tension prevailed in Jammikunta after Congress leaders allegedly tried to move two BRS councillors from the counting centre to their camp. Alerted party leaders intervened, leading to arguments and a brief clash before police restored order

Congress workers allegedly attacked the husband of a BRS councillor-elect in Gajwel municipality hours after her election victory. The incident followed slogan shouting by BRS cadres and led to tension in the area. A police complaint has been filed

Kaghaznagar municipality returned a hung verdict with no party securing a majority in the 30-member council. The BRS emerged as the single largest party with 11 wards, followed by Congress with nine, while the BJP and Independents are set to play kingmakers.

Independent councillors emerged decisive in the newly formed Asifabad municipality after neither the BRS nor the Congress secured a majority. The BRS led with nine wards, Congress followed with seven, while four Independent wins triggered post-poll political tension.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi swept the municipal elections in the Patancheru constituency, winning three of five municipalities outright and securing leads in the remaining two. With ex-officio support and Independent backing, the party is set to form all five civic bodies.

A Congress candidate who faced backlash for allegedly asking voters to return cash and pressure cookers distributed during campaigning was elected from Ward 10 in Aswaraopet municipality. The Congress swept the civic polls, winning 17 of the 22 wards.

Following Ward 48, voters in Ward 47 of Suryapet municipality attached written appeals to their ballot papers, urging the Congress government to release delayed retirement benefits. Pensioners said many were facing severe financial and health hardships due to prolonged non-payment.

A BRS candidate clinched victory in Dubbak municipal elections after a tie in votes was resolved through a coin toss. With seven wards already secured, the party is hopeful of forming the municipal body as counting continues.