Telangana municipal polls trigger high-voltage campaign battle

Telangana’s political temperature has surged as the State heads into crucial municipal elections, with the Congress, BRS and BJP intensifying campaigns in what has become a prestige contest. Though the BJP is pushing hard, the principal contest is seen as between the Congress and the BRS.

With nominations filed in 2,996 wards across 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations, and withdrawals completed on Tuesday, 12,993 candidates remain in the fray. While officials are busy with poll arrangements, political parties are scrambling to contain rebels, manage caste and community equations, and mobilise



urban voters who often influence broader constituency politics.

For the ruling Congress, the polls have become a performance test for its MLAs. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Cabinet colleagues have lined up rallies across the State, focusing on governance and urban development promises. However, internal dissent has surfaced as disgruntled aspirants are contesting as independents in several towns, raising fears of vote splits. Further, considering the party’s recent performance in the panchayat elections, the Chief Minister has placed the onus of winning the elections on the Ministers and the MLAs.