TRS all set to retain control of GHMC

The ruling TRS looked all set to retain control of the city civic body, winning 41 of the 150 seats so far, while BJP’s high profile campaign appeared to have paid off, with the party winning 22.

The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM continued its dominance in its traditional stronghold of the old city of Hyderabad, winning 34, as per the latest trends following the counting of votes, polled on December 1.

The Congress was a distant third, winning just two seats.

The TRS was leading in at least 15 other wards, while the BJP was ahead in about 25 seats.

The BJP’s performance, if the present trend holds, leading to the saffron party possibly netting a significant number of seats, will be seen as a massive improvement against its 2016 show of winning just four seats, in alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) then.

The K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samiti swept the elections four years ago, winning 99 of the 150 wards.

The BJP’s impressive show is a huge morale booster for the saffron party as it comes soon after its victory in last month’s bypoll to the Dubbak Assembly constituency.