In a bold political move, the ruling Congress party in Telangana has directed its entire leadership and cadre to launch an all-out effort to secure voter support for the upcoming municipal elections. The party has set an ambitious target of winning 90% of the seats across the state's urban local bodies.
Ministers Take Charge of Constituencies
The party's strategy involves a significant delegation of responsibility. Each minister in the state cabinet will be put in charge of one parliamentary constituency. Their mandate will be to ensure the party's strong performance in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) that fall within their assigned constituency's jurisdiction. Overall campaign strategy will be personally monitored by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, indicating the high priority placed on these polls.
A senior leader of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) stated that, buoyed by recent victories in the panchayat elections and the Jubilee Hills bypoll, the party leadership is now concentrated on securing a thumping majority in the municipal elections. The leader emphasized that winning these polls is crucial for building the party's image and boosting voter confidence ahead of future elections for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and its expanded area.
Election Schedule and Preparations
The State Election Commission (SEC) is actively preparing to conduct elections for 117 municipalities and six municipal corporations across Telangana. Sources indicate that these elections are likely to be held in a single phase in mid-February. However, polls for the GHMC and its expanded areas are not expected to be held simultaneously with these municipal body elections.
In a key administrative step, the SEC has directed that the final polling station-wise voter list be displayed on January 16. The municipal administration department has formally requested the government to release Rs 85 crore to fund the election process. In total, elections will be conducted for nearly 3,000 wards across 123 urban local bodies.
BC Quota Set to Increase
In a related development with significant political implications, the one-man dedicated Backward Classes (BC) commission has submitted its report on BC reservation in ULBs to the state government. The recommendation is expected to push the BC quota beyond the current 30% mark. The state cabinet is anticipated to convene shortly to review and grant approval to the proposed quota increase.
This comprehensive approach—combining an aggressive grassroots campaign, clear ministerial accountability, and a focus on key voter segments—underscores the Congress party's determination to dominate urban governance in Telangana and solidify its political standing in the state.
