Hyderabad: BJP in Telangana appears on the verge of scripting a political first in the state’s urban politics, with a strong chance of capturing the Karimnagar municipal corporation and emerging as a serious contender in Nizamabad.If ex-officio voting proceeds as scheduled on Monday, the results for the mayoral posts could follow soon after. A victory in either Karimnagar or Nizamabad would mark the BJP’s first mayoral win in a municipal corporation in Telangana — a symbolic breakthrough for the party in the state’s urban power structure. In Karimnagar, the BJP put up a commanding performance. As of 10.30 pm, it had won 30 of the 66 seats and was hopeful of securing the support of five rebel candidates, who contested as independents. Party sources expressed confidence that the BJP would cross the magic figure and claim the mayor’s post. Congress won 14, BRS 9, and AIMIM 3 seats in the corporation. The contest in Nizamabad, however, is tighter and more politically layered. While the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 28 of the 60 seats, it fell short of a majority by three wards. The Congress (17) and AIMIM (14) together secured 31 seats, setting the stage for a direct showdown. Party chief N Ramchander Rao said the BJP would finalise and submit the list of ex-officio members for voting on Monday. Under the rules, sitting legislators can exercise their vote in any one municipality of their choice, making the ex-officio stage crucial in closely fought corporations. Bandi’s key roleKarimnagar had been a prestige battle for the BJP from the beginning. Union minister of state for home affairs and Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay played a central role in steering the campaign after the poll schedule was announced. Notably, the party shifted its pitch this time, focusing more on development initiatives of the Centre rather than its usual Hindutva plank. Sanjay went on to announce that the BJP had taken control of the Karimnagar corporation and thanked voters for their support. According to party sources, the mayoral candidate will be selected from among the 30 winning corporators and three rebel winners, who are being brought together at a camp on Hyderabad suburbs. As the seat is reserved for a BC candidate this time, Sunil Rao, former BRS mayor who joined the BJP will not be in contention. Delicate arithmeticIn Nizamabad, the arithmetic remains delicate. With Congress and AIMIM joining hands, the BJP will depend heavily on ex-officio votes and possible cross support to tilt the balance. The saffron party’s confidence stems from its broader urban performance. Though it had earlier emerged strong in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, it could not secure the mayor’s post there. In the current round of polls, it also pointed to its earlier success in winning the Nizamabad municipal chairmanship before it was upgraded to a corporation. Till the latest reports, BJP leaders said the party had won 331 wards across municipalities and corporations, calling it an encouraging performance, though they had hoped to expand further.
