Uncertainty continues over chairperson polls in three civic bodies in Telangana

The election of chairpersons and deputy chairpersons in three Telangana municipalities, Kyathanapally, Khanapur and Ibrahimpatnam, remains unresolved despite completion in 120 other urban local bodies. The High Court has directed the State to conclude the process in Ibrahimpatnam within three weeks.

Hyderabad: Uncertainty continues over the election of chairpersons and deputy chairpersons in the three municipalities of Kyathanapally, Khanapur and Ibrahimpatnam, even as the process has been completed in the rest of the State’s urban local bodies. While the High Court has set a three-week deadline to complete the process in Ibrahimpatnam, there is no clarity over the fate of the remaining two civic bodies.

Of the 123 urban local bodies where elections were held, 120 have elected their chairpersons and deputy chairpersons. The remaining three continue to face delays amid administrative and political wrangling.

---

District collectors have reportedly submitted detailed reports to the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) department, outlining the reasons for the postponement. The MAUD is expected to forward its recommendations to the State Election Commission (SEC), which will then fix fresh dates. However, officials confirmed that the SEC has yet to receive a formal communication from the Municipal authorities.

With the High Court granting three weeks to complete the election process in Ibrahimpatnam, the State government is expected to move swiftly to conclude the process and avert further legal complications.

In Kyathanapally of Mancherial district, the BRS emerged as the single largest party, winning 10 of 22 wards, while its ally CPI secured four seats. The Congress won seven wards. However, the election was postponed following clashes between BRS and Congress councillors.

In Ibrahimpatnam of Rangareddy district, the BRS secured a clear majority with 13 of 24 wards, but the election was deferred after disturbances allegedly triggered by the Congress. Khanapur in Nirmal district witnessed a hung verdict, with BRS and BJP winning four wards each in the 12-member body, Congress securing three and an independent winning one seat.

The BRS accused the Congress government of deliberately stalling the elections to engineer defections and alter outcomes. The ruling party has not publicly responded.