BJP’s municipal poll show fails to match its big expectations in Telangana

From winning eight Lok Sabha seats and later, electing eight MLAs to the Assembly, expectations were high within the Telangana BJP ahead of the municipal polls. But the results have turned out to be a dampener for the party.

While the BJP did win the Karimnagar municipal corporation and secured the Mayor’s post, which rivals allege came through questionable manoeuvring, and opened its account in several new urban pockets, the party leadership had hoped for a far more sweeping performance after its poor show in the recent Panchayat polls to build momentum toward the next Assembly elections.

The party claims it has improved its vote share from 13% in the 2023 Assembly elections to 15% now, suggesting a gradual rise in its urban support. Its ward tally has grown from 240 in 2020 to around 340, and it has emerged as the single largest party in over 25 municipalities, compared to only two earlier.

However, several leaders say the top leadership created “unrealistic expectations” and “unnecessary hype”. They point to questionable ticket selections, poor coordination between the State and local units, the disruptive role of rebels, and MPs and MLAs being allowed a free hand. Some argue that mixing national issues and communal rhetoric with local development priorities also hurt the party’s prospects.

“Most MPs and MLAs are not ideologically bound to the party. We are not sure of their agenda,” a senior leader remarked. This criticism gained weight as party leaders aligned with either the BRS or Congress in several municipalities — including Amangal, Isnapur, Jinnaram, Narsapur, Medak, Asifabad, Bhainsa and Khanapur — to secure or share posts such as mayor, deputy mayor, chairman or vice-chairman.

State party president N. Ramchander Rao insists that the BJP made significant gains in new regions despite what he alleges was gerrymandering of wards by the State government.

“We are now a strong force in 25-plus municipalities, won Karimnagar, became the largest party in the Nizamabad municipal corporation, and narrowly lost many wards, finishing second to the Congress. The Congress and BRS both saw their vote share decline. We performed well in Adilabad, Narayanpet, Gadwal, Armoor, Mancherial, Metpalli and others. We also gained significant votes in Kothagudem, Aswaraopeta, Parkal and Bhupalapally,” he said.

Mr. Rao said decentralising decision-making and giving MPs and MLAs autonomy “has worked”. He accused the ruling Congress of “misusing official machinery, high-handedness and money power” as well as other parties “ganging up”, claiming the BJP would have won more seats otherwise.

He dismissed allegations of BRS support in Karimnagar and rejected accusations of communal campaigning, instead criticising Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for “openly seeking minority votes”. “We respect all religions but oppose appeasement politics. We highlighted the need to remove bogus votes given the unusual rise in minority votes in some areas,” he said.