The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Telangana will participate in the upcoming municipal elections on its own, as confirmed by the party’s state president N. Ramchander Rao. While asserting the BJP’s self-reliance, Rao also expressed openness to support from other parties. Jana Sena Party’s recent declaration to join the municipal polls prompted this clarification from the BJP leader.
Jana Sena, led by Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan, is an ally of the BJP in Andhra Pradesh. Rao responded to queries about Jana Sena’s participation, stating that being a political party, they have the right to contest elections. Emphasizing the BJP’s growing influence in Telangana, Rao reiterated their independence from forming alliances for the municipal elections.
Reports of Jana Sena’s decision to contest urban local body elections, especially in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), have stirred tensions within the BJP. Jana Sena aims to field candidates in GHMC and other municipalities where it claims significant support. Pawan Kalyan’s party in Telangana is eager to expand its presence through the municipal polls.
The upcoming elections are expected to cover 118 municipalities and five corporations, with GHMC, Khammam, and Warangal corporations scheduled for later polls. BJP’s strong foothold in GHMC, winning 46 divisions in the last elections, underscores its influence. Additionally, the party has shown strength in key municipalities like Karimnagar, Nizamabad, and Warangal.
Both Jana Sena and BJP are part of the ruling coalition led by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh. Notably, TDP’s stance on participating in the Telangana municipal elections remains undisclosed. The party’s absence in the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha polls marks a departure from its historical electoral engagement.
