With just one day left before polling, Telangana’s urban local bodies are set for a high-stakes electoral showdown on February 11, as voters across 123 municipalities and corporations decide the fate of contestants in nearly 3,000 wards.
The elections, covering 7 municipal corporations and 116 municipalities, are seen as a litmus test for the ruling Congress party’s hold on power, with opposition parties like the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) mounting aggressive challenges.
The Telangana State Election Commission (TSEC) announced the schedule on January 27, setting nominations from January 28 to 30, scrutiny on January 31, and withdrawals until February 3. Polling will be held from 7 AM to 5 PM on Wednesday, with re-polls if needed on February 12, followed by vote counting on February 13.
Indirect elections for mayors, deputy mayors, chairpersons, and vice-chairpersons are slated for February 16. To facilitate voter participation, a local holiday has been declared in polling areas, closing government offices, schools, and colleges, aiming to boost turnout among the approximately 52.5 lakh eligible voters.
Campaigning wrapped up at 5 PM on February 9, enforcing a 48-hour silence period under Section 209 of the Telangana Municipalities Act, prohibiting public meetings or election-related activities. The TSEC has heightened security measures, deploying additional forces to ensure peaceful voting, especially in sensitive areas.
Already, 14 wards have been decided unopposed, with Congress clinching 12 and BRS securing 2, giving the ruling party an early edge. This leaves around 12,930 candidates vying for the remaining 2,982 wards, averaging about four contestants per seat.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has led Congress’s charge, targeting a 90% sweep through door-to-door campaigns and micro-level voter outreach, while refraining from pre-announcing mayoral candidates to maintain flexibility.
The BRS, under former CM K. Chandrashekar Rao, is pushing for a resurgence, criticizing Congress on governance issues, with pre-poll surveys showing a tight race in several urban pockets.
BJP and AIMIM are focusing on strongholds, with AIMIM charging a non-refundable fee for candidate applications and expanding beyond Hyderabad. Analysts predict the results could reshape local power dynamics, influencing resource allocation and urban development. As Telangana’s cities continue to expand, control over these bodies will be key for parties to strengthen grassroots networks ahead of future state-level contests.
Voters are advised to check their details on the TSEC website for a smooth experience.