Elections for chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in 11 Telangana municipalities have been delayed due to accusations of undemocratic tactics by both the ruling Congress and main opposition BRS. The affected municipalities include Yellandu, Sultanabad, Ibrahimpatnam, Kagaznagar, Ketanapally, Khanapur, Zaheerabad, Inderesham, Dornakal, Jjangaon, and Thorrur.
The elections for 116 municipalities and seven corporations were conducted on February 11, with results announced on February 13. The Congress party secured a majority in 66 municipalities and four corporations, while the ruling party claimed victory in Mancherial, Mahabubnagar, Ramagundam, and Nalgonda municipal corporations.
In a significant turn, the BJP, despite being the largest party in the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation, secured the mayor and deputy mayor positions. Meanwhile, the Congress party, in alliance with AIMIM, took control of the Nizamabad Municipal Corporation, even though the BJP had the most seats.
Tensions escalated in Thorrur municipality, leading to clashes between Congress and BRS supporters, resulting in the postponement of chairperson and vice-chairperson elections. Notably, the Congress party, with BJP’s support, clinched the chairperson position in the Aliabad municipality.
The urban bodies’ meetings commenced with newly-elected members taking oaths, followed by the election of mayors, deputy mayors, and municipal chairpersons. The Congress party managed to secure power in several hung municipalities with the backing of independents and other parties.
