BRS moves no trust motion against Karimnagar mayor

The BRS submitted the no-confidence motion to district collector Pamela Satpathy on Monday. The Karimnagar Municipal Corporation comprises 60 divisions, with the BRS originally securing 33 seats, BJP 13, MIM 6, and independents winning 8. Over time, seven independents joined BRS, increasing its tally to 40, while one joined MIM, raising its total to seven.

However, political alignments shifted after the elections. Two BRS corporators joined the BJP following the MP elections, and after the Congress formed the state government post-assembly elections, 12 more BRS corporators defected to the Congress.

Currently, 25 BRS corporators, alongside six Congress corporators, have submitted a representation to the district collector, led by deputy mayor Challa Swaroopa Rani, urging action against Sunil Rao. Rani argued that the mayor lost his majority after switching allegiance to the BJP, making him ineligible to continue under Section 37 of the Municipal Corporation Act, 2019, which deals with no-confidence motions.

“The mayor was elected in 2020 with BRS support, but his defection to the BJP violates the mandate. Immediate action must be taken,” said Swaroopa Rani.

The timing of the motion has created a unique situation. With the corporators’ terms ending Tuesday, any decision by the district collector may be rendered moot. Some corporators who signed the motion reportedly expressed doubts about the move, with some still relying on mayor Sunil Rao, raising questions about the political motives behind the motion.

Meanwhile, Sunil Rao has chosen to conclude his term on a positive note by hosting a felicitation ceremony for all corporators, aiming to avoid further political disputes.

In a statement, Rao accused the BRS and Congress of orchestrating a "political drama" to mislead the public. “The alliance between BRS and Congress on the no-confidence motion proves they are working together. This is nothing but a ploy to deceive the people,” he said.

Rao also alleged that rampant corruption, land encroachments, and unethical politics within the BRS drove him to resign and join the BJP. He emphasised his inability to support the party's practices, labelling his decision a stand against corruption.