Ramchander Rao Hails BJP Gain Despite Poor Show
State President Ramchander Rao says party set to capture Karimnagar and Nizamabad corporations; rules out supporting others in hung municipalities.
Speaking to reporters, Rao said the BJP was poised to secure between 320 and 350 wards, up from 241 previously, and win five municipalities outright — Vemulawada, Raikal, Narayanpet, Adilabad and Metpally. The party also clinched two corporations in Nizamabad and Karimnagar, compared to just two municipalities in the last elections.
He dismissed Congress claims of a strong showing, arguing that municipal polls traditionally favour ruling parties. “Even without clear majorities, Congress has nothing to boast about — their wins stem from power misuse and high-handedness,” he charged. Rao accused Congress and BRS of clinching seats with tacit AIMIM support, alleging that “urban Naxalites, Communists and MIM united against BJP.” He mocked what he called the “Fevicol bond” between Congress, MIM and BRS.
Rao claimed BJP’s vote share rose from 13 per cent to 20 per cent, making it the single largest party in six municipalities. He lamented losing nearly 200 wards by margins of just two to 25 votes, blaming AIMIM’s backing of Congress and BRS.
He further alleged that the Congress government trifurcated the GHMC to hand one corporation to AIMIM, and announced BJP would not support any party in hung councils.
In a late-night post on X, Rao said BJP’s performance reflected a “decisive shift” in Telangana’s political landscape. He described the fall in BRS numbers as “not a marginal decline, but a structural rejection by the people.”
Despite “misusing administrative machinery, money power and intimidation,” Rao claimed Congress could secure only around 55 per cent of wards. “In a scenario where ruling parties traditionally sweep local elections, this is far from a sweeping mandate,” he said.
