The major political parties in Telangana, the Congress, Bharatiya Rashtra Samiti and the BJP, have allotted the major share of their tickets for the upcoming urban local body (ULB) elections to candidates from Backwards Communities (BCs). While the Congress and BRS have allocated about 53 per cent of their tickets to BCs, the BJP allotted around 49 per cent.
Polling will be held in Telangana on February 11 across 123 ULBs, including seven municipal corporations and 116 municipalities. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will not be part of this phase, as its tenure ends on February 10, just a day before the elections.
The Revanth Reddy government had attempted to introduce 42 per cent reservations for BCs in local body polls through legislation. However, opposition from the BJP ensured that the bill was stalled.
With limited options left, the Chief Minister announced that the Congress would implement intra-party reservations for BCs, an initiative in which he has succeeded. In some districts, the Congress has gone a step further, allocating more than 60 per cent of its tickets to BC candidates. In the undivided Karimnagar district, the Congress has allotted 67.66 per cent of seats to BCs, while the BRS has given close to 60 per cent.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is leading the Congress campaign. Addressing party leaders, he urged them to treat the ULB polls as a priority, stating that the party has the potential to win more than 90 per cent of the seats. He directed ministers, MLAs, MLCs and MPs to remain on the ground to ensure a strong organisational push. The party has also managed to keep rebel candidates below two per cent.
Political commentator D. Papa Rao said the elections could prove significant given the prevailing political climate in the state. “The BJP is not very buoyant but may still do reasonably well with its given urban base. The party will not be affected even if it underperforms.
If the BRS performs well, it could claim a revival and sharpen its attacks on the government. The Congress, on the other hand, needs to perform well to ensure political consolidation; otherwise, it could give an opportunity to the BRS,” he explained.
