Congress Consolidates Urban Power in Telangana with Municipal Election Sweep
HYDERABAD: Two years after returning to power in the state, the Congress party has significantly strengthened its position in Telangana's urban landscape, achieving a commanding victory in Friday's municipal election results. The party is poised to secure at least 83 of the 116 municipalities that went to polls on February 11, marking a dramatic expansion of its urban influence.
Congress Secures Municipal Corporations, Forms Strategic Alliances
By Friday evening, Congress had already secured majority control in three municipal corporations: Mancherial, Ramagundam, and Nalgonda. The party was also close to capturing Mahbubnagar from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), holding 29 seats in the 60-member municipal house. In Kothagudem, Congress hopes to achieve victory through its alliance with the Communist Party of India (CPI), demonstrating strategic political maneuvering.
BJP Emerges as Surprise Performer in Key Corporations
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delivered unexpected results by emerging as the single largest party in both Karimnagar and Nizamabad municipal corporations, leaving BRS with minimal representation in these important urban centers. The election of municipal chairpersons and mayors is scheduled for February 16, setting the stage for further political negotiations.
Across the 2,996 wards spanning 123 urban local bodies, Congress achieved a remarkable tally of 1,537 seats. This represents a substantial increase from the mere 569 seats the party secured in the 2020 municipal elections. This urban success follows Congress's strong performance in the December 2025 rural polls, where the party won the majority of panchayats, indicating broad-based political support.
Political Reactions and Analysis
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy characterized the election outcome as a clear endorsement of the Congress government's welfare and development initiatives over the past two years. In a social media statement, Reddy 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," declared Reddy. "We will develop every municipality and municipal corporation and continue to win the trust of the people."
Meanwhile, BRS experienced a significant decline, securing only 781 wards compared to 1,686 in 2020, and winning just 15 municipalities. BJP improved its position with 335 wards, up from 293 in the previous elections, while the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) won 70 seats, slightly down from 87 in earlier polls.
Hung Verdicts and Political Maneuvering Expected
Several urban local bodies returned hung verdicts, creating conditions for intense political negotiations in the coming days. Allegations of elected member poaching have already surfaced, with parties reportedly attempting to shift allegiances to secure control.
Political observers note that while urban voters provided Congress with a decisive advantage, both BRS and BJP mounted competitive challenges. A senior analyst suggested that although the municipal results are unlikely to dramatically alter state-level political equations, they do reflect shifting dynamics since the December 2023 assembly elections.
Party Statements and Regional Performance
BJP state president N. Ramachander Rao highlighted his party's improved performance, noting victories in over 330 wards and emergence as the single largest party in six municipalities. AIMIM demonstrated strength by winning 68 wards, emerging as the single largest party in Bhainsa municipality, and recording solid performance in the Nizamabad corporation.
Elections have not 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 corporations, leaving these important urban centers for future electoral contests.
The February 16 polling for chairperson and mayoral positions will be particularly crucial in municipalities where ex-officio members and independents—who secured 181 seats—are expected to play decisive roles in determining leadership positions. In Kothagudem, where Congress and CPI each won 22 seats, late-night negotiations are underway to decide the mayoral candidate between the two allied parties.
