Majlis, urban naxals, communists helped Cong. & BRS in municipal polls: Ramchander Rao

Telangana BJP has alleged that the Congress and BRS secured victories in several municipalities only with the “support of the Majlis party, urban naxalites, and communists”, who worked together to defeat its party candidates in the municipal polls.

Party president N. Ramchander Rao also declared at a press conference on Friday, that the BJP will not extend support to any other party in the event of a hung verdict in either municipalities or municipal corporations. He noted that despite being the ruling party, the Congress failed to secure a clear majority in many places, although local body elections typically favour the party in power.

“Many places witnessed hung results. Whatever successes the Congress achieved were due to the misuse of power and high-handedness by the police,” he alleged. The BJP chief accused the Congress, BRS, and MIM of having a “fevicol bond,” claiming that Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi personally urged Muslim voters to back the Congress or BRS solely to defeat BJP candidates. Without MIM support, the Congress and BRS cannot win elections, he contended.

Growing BJP influence

Despite this, Mr. Rao said BJP’s support base is expanding, with its vote share rising to nearly 20% from 13%, while the BRS is on a decline. Though the results may not have matched expectations, he said there is a “clear indication of growing BJP influence” across the districts, noting that the party has performed better compared to the last municipal polls.

In the earlier elections, the BJP won only in two municipalities and secured around 241 ward members. This time, the party won more than 250 wards so far — a figure that could reach 350 once the final tally is completed. The party emerged as the single largest party in nearly six municipalities and is moving towards taking control of the Nizamabad and Karimnagar municipal corporations for the first time.

The party is also poised to secure chairman posts in Vemulawada, Raikal, Narayanpet, Adilabad, and Metpally municipalities. It expects to win around 70 divisions across various municipal corporations. Support for the party has improved significantly in areas like Mancherial, Ramagundam, and Nalgonda. Mr. Rao pointed out that in about 200 wards, the BJP lost by narrow margins ranging from two to 25 votes.

The party has also opened its account in districts where it previously had no presence, including a ward win in Ashwaraopet (Bhadradri Kothagudem district) and a division in the Kothagudem corporation, he added.