Hyderabad: The real battle began after the municipal election results were declared on Friday. In the fight among Congress, BRS and BJP, it is the independents who have emerged as kingmakers, holding the key to chairperson and mayoral posts in dozens of urban local bodies where no party secured a clear majority. As many as 181 independents won in municipalities.Of the 123 municipalities, nearly 30 threw up fractured verdicts, including Jangaon, Isnapur, Aliabad, Kagaznagar, Devarakadra, Alampur, Gadwal, Kesamudram, Asifabad, Jinnaram, Jammikunta, Vemulawada and Raikal municipalities, and Karimnagar and Nizamabad municipal corporations. With no party reaching the magic figure, intense backroom negotiations began within hours of counting.To prevent poaching, parties shifted councillors and corporators from hung municipalities to undisclosed locations. They are expected to return only on Feb 16 for the swearing-in and the election of chairpersons and mayors.Major parties rushed to woo independents and smaller recognised parties, including the lone All India Forward Bloc winner, to cobble together workable majorities.The ruling Congress is expected to leverage its ex-officio votes — MLAs, MLCs, and MPs who are entitled to vote in chairperson and mayoral elections — to tilt the balance in some municipalities. But independents are bargaining hard. In Aliabad, where the 20 wards are split — Congress 8, BRS 7, BJP 3 and one independent — support has reportedly come at a price, with independents demanding the chairperson’s post.In several towns, independents outnumbered winners from opposition parties, making their role even more decisive. Jagtial stands out: 15 independents won there, compared to Congress’s 23, BJP’s 6, BRS’s 4 and AIMIM’s 2. The independents are largely loyalists of former minister and Congress veteran T Jeevan Reddy, who reportedly fielded his supporters after failing to secure tickets for them. He is said to be at odds with local MLA M Sanjay Kumar, who allegedly aligned with the ruling party after winning on a BRS ticket. The internal rivalries have added another layer of intrigue to the post-poll arithmetic.In Karimnagar municipal corporation, of the 66 divisions, BJP emerged as a single largest party with 27 wards, Congress 12, BRS got 8, MIM secured two seats and seven independents. The BJP is trying to get the support of independents.In Kesamudram municipality, both BRS and Congress got 8 wards each and ex-officio members are likely to play a key role in deciding the chairperson post.Across Telangana’s urban landscape, the message is unmistakable: While the big three battled for dominance, it is the independents who now command the numbers.Visible surgeThe independent surge is visible elsewhere too. In Adilabad municipal corporation, five independents won; Bhainsa 7, Mahabubabad 5, and in Kothagudem as many as six independents secured victories. In Kagaznagar, where Congress and BRS secured 10 wards each, BJP 5, AIMIM 1 and independents 4. the chairperson’s post depends entirely on independent support.Isnapur is another cliffhanger. BRS won 12 wards, Congress 10 and independents 4. BRS needs two more councillors for control; Congress needs four. Both parties scrambled to secure backing, leading to mild tension at the counting centre as leaders tried to reach independents first.In Waddepally municipality in Gadwal district, All India Forward Bloc candidate is set to become municipal chairman, who is reportedly a follower of ex-MLC K Kavitha, but he denied any such association. Of the 10 wards, BRS and Congress won one each and Forward Bloc got eight wards.In Jangaon, the numbers are equally tight — BRS 13, Congress 12 and independents 5. Senior leaders, including MLC Palla Rajeshwar Reddy and Bhuvanagiri MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, are working to consolidate support. A minor scuffle between rival workers at the counting centre reflected the high stakes.Yet, not all municipalities delivered fractured mandates. In Amangal, Chevella, Nirmal, Sathupally, Bheemgal, Bhuvanagiri, Yadagirigutta and Pochampally, voters handed clear verdicts, with no independent candidates winning.
