Telangana Political Parties Move Nominees to Camps Amid Hung Municipal Polls
In a dramatic turn of events, major political parties in Telangana, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), have initiated a strategic shift of their municipal election nominees to undisclosed camps. This move comes as exit polls indicate that no single party is likely to secure a clear majority in several municipalities and corporations across the state.
Preventing Poaching in a Tense Political Climate
With the counting of votes for 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations scheduled to begin at 8 AM on Friday across 123 centers in Telangana, political tensions are running high. The use of ballot papers in these elections is expected to prolong the result declaration process, adding to the anxiety among parties. To thwart potential poaching attempts by rivals, especially from the ruling Congress party, both BJP and BRS have taken preemptive measures by relocating their candidates to secure locations.
BRS and BJP have arranged buses in key areas to transport their nominees, assuming all their candidates are likely to win, to camps in other states starting Thursday night. These candidates have been instructed to switch off their mobile phones until the counting concludes, ensuring they remain isolated from external influences.
Strategic Shifts Across Districts
Notable efforts include Suryapet MLA and former minister G Jagadish Reddy, who has shifted approximately 48 BRS nominees to camps, citing concerns that other parties might lure their winning candidates. Similarly, candidates from Bhongir and Chandur in Nalgonda and Yadadri districts were relocated on Wednesday night by BRS leaders.
In Adilabad, BJP leader Payal Shankar and BRS ex-minister Jogu Ramanna suspect that the ruling Congress might attempt to poach their would-be corporators and councillors. Consequently, they made arrangements to shift these candidates on Thursday afternoon. Nirmal MLA and BJP floor leader Alleti Maheshwar Reddy has also reportedly decided to move Nirmal BJP municipal nominees to undisclosed locations as a precautionary measure.
Focus on Municipal Corporations with Uncertain Outcomes
The parties are extending these protective measures to municipal corporations in Karimnagar, Nizamabad, and Mancherial, among other areas where exit polls predict no clear majority. The winning candidates are slated to be brought back to their respective corporations and municipalities on February 16, the day scheduled for the election of chairpersons, vice chairpersons, and mayors.
With exit polls forecasting hung results in some urban local bodies, political parties are leaving no stone unturned to safeguard their potential victors from poaching attempts. This proactive approach underscores the intense competition and high stakes involved in Telangana's municipal elections, as parties vie for control in a fragmented political landscape.
