AIMIM Ramps Up Campaign as Telangana Municipal Elections Approach
With the municipal elections in Telangana scheduled for February 11, the political landscape is heating up, particularly in at least 15 urban local bodies (ULBs) where a fierce four-cornered contest is anticipated. While the Congress, BRS, and BJP have fielded candidates across all 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is intensifying its campaign, making these ULBs a key battleground.
AIMIM's Strategic Candidate Deployment
The AIMIM has strategically fielded 282 candidates in 43 different ULBs, though it is contesting only from one to five wards in most of these bodies. This targeted approach is buoyed by the party's recent success in Maharashtra municipal corporation elections, where it secured 125 seats. Party president Asaduddin Owaisi is personally leading the campaign in Telangana, aiming to replicate this momentum.
In specific ULBs, the party has deployed significant numbers: 19 candidates in Adilabad, 16 in Mahbubnagar, 15 in Karimnagar, 21 in Nizamabad, 24 in Bodhan, 18 in Bhainsa, 15 in Tandur, 19 in Nirmal, 14 in Zaheerabad, and 13 in Sangareddy. A senior Congress leader noted, "It is going to be a serious four-cornered contest or even a multi-cornered one in 15 ULBs, where the AIMIM and AIFB candidates, including those from K Kavitha-led Telangana Jagruti, CPI, CPM, and some strong independents, are in the electoral fray."
Historical Context and Current Alliances
In the 2020 municipal elections, the AIMIM won 87 seats after fielding 276 candidates, at a time when the party had an understanding with the BRS, which was then in government. However, with the Congress now in power, the ruling party has clarified that there is no alliance with the AIMIM for the upcoming February 11 elections. Instead, the Congress has announced an electoral understanding with the CPI, CPM, and Telangana Jana Samithi led by M Kodandaram.
Looking back at the 2020 results, the BRS emerged victorious with 1,686 seats, followed by the Congress with 569 seats and the BJP with 293. Those elections covered 3,535 wards across 120 municipalities and 11 municipal corporations. This time, polls are being held for a slightly reduced number of 2,996 seats in 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations.
Political Targets and Accusations
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has set an ambitious target for the Congress, aiming to win over 90% of the seats. In contrast, the BRS has claimed that the downfall of the Congress will begin with these municipal elections. The BJP has leveled accusations against both the BRS and Congress, alleging that neither party has done enough for Telangana, despite the BRS being in power for a decade and the Congress completing two years in office.
AIMIM's Kingmaker Ambitions
Sources indicate that AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has set specific targets for the party, including winning the Bhainsa municipality and its chairperson's post. Additionally, he aims to play the role of kingmaker by securing maximum seats in key municipal corporations such as Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar, and Nalgonda, as well as other municipalities. Owaisi has been actively conducting door-to-door campaigns and addressing public meetings, where he has asserted that the party will change the political equations in Telangana.
As the election date nears, the intensified campaigning by the AIMIM adds a dynamic layer to the contest, promising a closely watched and potentially transformative outcome for Telangana's urban governance.
