Telangana Civic Polls: BJP Struggles in Urban Strongholds; Congress, BRS Retain Edge
At a time when the BJP is positioning itself as an alternative to the ruling Congress and the fading BRS, the outcome came as a shock to its leadership
Riding high on its Lok Sabha performance — winning eight of the state’s 17 seats in 2023 — the party had also secured victories in the Legislative Council’s graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies. In gram panchayat polls, where it contested selectively, Rao highlighted a robust showing, claiming a 300 per cent jump from 2019.
However, the urban results proved sobering. Despite considering several towns as strongholds, the party was jolted by the verdict. At a time when the BJP is positioning itself as an alternative to the ruling Congress and the fading BRS, the outcome came as a shock to its leadership. A senior leader admitted weak ward-level organisation was a major handicap compared to Congress and BRS, which have built local networks over more than a decade. “We never shared power in the state,” he said. “Central funds reach municipalities and panchayats, but without grassroots leaders, we can’t take credit.”
Modest wins offered face-saving relief in constituencies represented by BJP MLAs. In Adilabad, Payal Shankar delivered 21 wards and secured the chairman’s post. In Nizamabad Urban, represented by Dhanpal Suryanarayana, the party won 28 divisions, though credit was largely attributed to MP D. Arvind. In Karimnagar, represented by Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, the BJP secured 30 divisions against Congress’ 14 and BRS’ nine, thanks to intensive campaigning and advance planning.
Elsewhere, results were less encouraging. In Sirpur, represented by Dr Palvai Harish Babu, the party managed only five wards; in Bhainsa, represented by Mudhole MLA Rama Rao Pawar, it won four; in Armoor, represented by Paidi Rakesh Reddy, it secured eight; and in Nirmal, led by floor leader A. Maheshwar Reddy, it won 13. Congress swept Nirmal and Armoor outright, while Bhainsa and Sirpur returned hung verdicts.
Party leaders acknowledged that while the Lok Sabha success rode on national waves, municipal voters prioritised civic needs. They argued that hyper-local dynamics prevailed in the municipal polls. One BJP leader noted that BRS’ decade-long rule ensured it remained the second force, stalling BJP’s rise, while Congress capitalised on incumbency as the ruling party.
