Congress Consolidates Urban Power in Telangana with Decisive Municipal Poll Victory
Two years after returning to power in the state, the Congress party has significantly strengthened its position across Telangana's urban landscape. The party is on course to secure at least 83 of the 116 municipalities that went to polls on February 11, along with five of the seven municipal corporations, marking a substantial expansion of its political influence in urban centers.
Congress Secures Majorities in Key Corporations
By Friday evening, Congress had already sealed majorities in the Mancherial, Ramagundam, and Nalgonda municipal corporations. The party was also close to wresting control of Mahbubnagar from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), having secured 29 seats in the 60-member House. In Kothagudem, Congress hopes to achieve victory with support from its ally, the Communist Party of India (CPI), where both parties won 22 seats each.
BJP Springs Surprises in Key Urban Centers
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delivered unexpected performances by emerging as the single largest party in both the Karimnagar and Nizamabad municipal corporations. This development left BRS with minimal representation in these important urban bodies. The election of municipal chairpersons and mayors is scheduled for February 16, with ex-officio members and independents expected to play crucial roles in determining leadership positions.
Statistical Dominance and Historical Comparison
Across the 2,996 wards spanning 123 urban local bodies, Congress achieved a remarkable tally of 1,537 seats. This represents a dramatic increase from the 569 seats the party secured during the 2020 municipal elections. The performance follows Congress's strong showing in the December 2025 rural polls, where the party won the majority of panchayats, demonstrating consistent electoral momentum.
In contrast, BRS secured 781 wards, a significant decline from its 2020 tally of 1,686, while winning only 15 municipalities. The BJP improved its position to 335 wards from 293 in the previous elections. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) won 70 seats, slightly down from 87 in the last polls.
Political Reactions and Strategic Implications
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy characterized the election outcome as a clear endorsement of the Congress government's welfare and development agenda over the past two years. In a social media statement, he expressed gratitude to voters and party workers while acknowledging increased governmental responsibility. "With this landslide victory, we rededicate ourselves to the development of the state, welfare of the people, and transparent governance," Reddy declared.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao noted that his party's performance represented a recovery following setbacks in the 2023 assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, suggesting that public discontent with Congress was becoming visible. BJP state president N Ramachander Rao highlighted his party's improved performance, claiming victory in over 330 wards and emergence as the single largest party in six municipalities.
Hung Verdicts and Political Maneuvering
Several urban local bodies returned hung verdicts, setting the stage for intense political negotiations and potential alliances. Allegations of political poaching surfaced, with parties reportedly attempting to shift elected members to secure numerical advantages. In Kothagudem, late-night discussions were underway between Congress and CPI to determine the mayoral candidate, with the position likely going to CPI.
Regional Variations and Notable Performances
The BJP appears positioned to secure chairperson posts in Raikal, Narayanpet, and Adilabad with support from ex-officio members and independents. AIMIM emerged as the single largest party in Bhainsa municipality and recorded a strong performance in the Nizamabad corporation, winning 68 wards overall.
Political observers noted that while urban voters provided Congress with a decisive advantage, both BRS and BJP mounted competitive challenges. One senior observer suggested that while the municipal results reflect shifting political dynamics since the December 2023 assembly elections, they are unlikely to significantly alter state-level political equations.
Pending Elections and Future Implications
Elections have not yet been conducted for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), two other municipal corporations within the Outer Ring Road core urban belt, and the Khammam and Warangal municipal corporations. These pending elections will provide further insight into the evolving political landscape of Telangana's urban centers.
The municipal election results demonstrate Congress's growing consolidation of urban support in Telangana, while revealing BJP's capacity to make inroads in specific regions. The outcomes set the stage for continued political competition as parties prepare for future electoral battles and work to establish governance frameworks in the newly constituted urban local bodies.
