Who is the winner?

In Telangana’s fiercely contested municipal arena, victory seems less about numbers and more about narrative, as BRS, BJP, and Congress each stake their claim to the people’s mandate

Everyone is claiming victory in the municipal polls. The election-a three-way contest among the ruling Congress, opposition BRS and the BJP. The Congress is claiming a clear and decisive mandate, BRS has projected the results as a reaffirmation of its governance model and the BJP talks about its expanding footprint describing the outcome as evidence of growing public support. The Congress has interpreted its performance as a sign of peoples’ faith.

Municipal elections, though local in nature, often carry larger political implications. They serve as a barometer of public opinion on governance, development, and party organization at the grassroots level. In Telangana, where political competition has intensified in recent years, the overlapping claims of victory underscore a fragmented yet dynamic electoral landscape. As each party frames the results to suit its narrative, the true verdict may lie not just in seat counts, but in the broader political momentum these polls generate.

The BRS working president K T Rama Rao said that the outcome was highly encouraging. He said, “Despite misuse of power by the ruling party on a large-scale, people supported us. Despite the “misuse of power on a large-scale, indiscriminate flow of liquor and money by the ruling Congress party”, people in urban areas of the State have reiterated that Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is the only alternative to the ruling party by giving the Opposition party an encouraging support in the municipal elections, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao said on Friday. BRS claimed significant victories in the erstwhile Medak district, winning 11 out of 19 municipalities and securing majorities in several key towns, with support from Independents in others.

In Karimnagar and Nizamabad Municipal Corporations, which fall under the Lok Sabha constituencies of Union Ministers Bandi Sanjay and Dharmapuri Arvind respectively, BJP emerged as the single largest party but fell short of the halfway majority mark. BJP won 28 of 66 divisions in Karimnagar and 27 of 60 divisions in Nizamabad.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu stated that the results of the municipal and municipal corporation elections reflect a public mandate in favor of people-centric governance. Bhatti said that people have once again proved that when there is trust and confidence, it naturally turns into public support. Over the past two years, the people’s government has been working tirelessly with the goal of empowerment in key sectors such as education, healthcare, employment, and infrastructure, and this victory is a recognition of those efforts.

He added that party workers worked relentlessly with victory as their goal, while people extended their support to development, and the widespread public endorsement across the state is a sign of the change to come.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud stated that the Congress party’s resounding victory in the municipal elections reflects the people’s strong endorsement of the ‘Praja Palana’ (People’s Governance) model being implemented in the State. He said the Congress party secured a decisive mandate across Telangana, winning more than 90 municipalities, four municipal corporations, over 1,300 wards and 154 divisions. “This overwhelming verdict is a clear reaffirmation of the people’s faith in the Congress party and its governance,” he said.

Goud attributed the victory to the transparent, accountable and welfare-oriented administration being delivered under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

CM Revanth meets Priyanka 

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy met AICC National General Secretary and MP Priyanka Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday. On the occasion, the results of the municipal elections in Telangana were discussed. Priyanka Gandhi expressed happiness over the massive victory of the Congress party in the municipal elections. She specially congratulated Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and also extended her congratulations to all party leaders, activists, and workers within the state. During the meeting, Revanth Reddy briefed Priyanka Gandhi on developments, reforms, policies, significant investment initiatives, and the advancements in the implementation of welfare programmes in Telangana.

Ministers deliver

The Congress party captured the Nalgonda Municipal Corporation under the stewardship of Roads & Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka delivered one of the most striking results in Madhira Municipality, where the Congress alliance swept 21 out of 22 wards, reducing the BRS-Left combine to a single seat.

In Manthani Municipality, IT & Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu led the party to a landslide win, bagging 11 out of 13 wards, leaving BRS and others far behind. Similarly, in Mulugu Municipality, Congress emerged in a commanding position, winning 10 of the 14 declared wards, besides two victories by Congress rebels, underscoring its dominance in the tribal belt.

In Sangareddy district, Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha ensured Congress control over Andole–Jogipet Municipality, winning 11 of the first 14 wards counted, placing the municipality firmly in the party’s hands.

The Congress party registered a sweeping victory in Husnabad Municipality under the leadership of Minister Ponnam Prabhakar. Out of a total of 20 wards in Husnabad Municipality, Congress candidates won 16 wards, while the BRS managed to secure 4 wards.

In Kollapur Municipality, represented by Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, the Congress party has created a political wave. The party won 16 out of 19 wards in a landslide victory.

In Makthal Municipality falling under Minister Vakiti Srihari assembly segment, Congress won 12 of the 15 contested wards, and in Chennur Municipality, under Vivek Venkatswamy’s watch, the party bagged 11 of 18 wards.

TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud saw Congress clinch a majority in Bheemgal Municipality, his home segment, while Minister Ponnam Prabhakar led the party to a thumping victory in Husnabad Municipality, securing 16 of 20 wards.

"The outcome is in line with our expectations — winning more than 70 per cent seats — and we are determined to carry this momentum forward in the forthcoming elections as well. " Minister Vivek said post the results.