Telangana Municipal Polls ; Congress Takes Early Lead BRS Trails
GG News Bureau
Telanganaa,13th february :The counting of votes for the Telangana Municipal Elections 2026 began on Friday morning across the state, with early trends indicating a strong lead for the Congress party. As per provisional figures released till 10:41 AM, Congress had surged ahead with over 225 wards, while the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) followed with around 119 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) showed a steady but distant presence in the initial phase of counting.
The local body elections were held on February 11 across 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations, covering 2,582 wards in 32 districts. Over 52 lakh voters participated in the democratic exercise, choosing among nearly 13,000 candidates. The elections are being seen as a crucial political test ahead of future state and national contests, as parties seek to consolidate their grassroots base.
Early results suggested that Congress made significant inroads in urban pockets that were previously dominated by the BRS. In several municipalities of northern and central Telangana, Congress candidates established leads in multiple wards, signalling a possible shift in voter sentiment. Political observers believe that local governance issues, including water supply, sanitation, and urban infrastructure, played a major role in influencing voter choices.
The BJP, while not leading overall, posted notable performances in select municipalities. Parakala in Hanumakonda district witnessed BJP candidates winning multiple wards, indicating growing support for the party in parts of the state. BJP candidates also secured wards in municipalities such as Banswada, Jinnaram, Metpalli, and Kagaznagar. Party leaders described the trends as encouraging and reflective of the BJP’s expanding footprint in Telangana’s urban local bodies.
Meanwhile, the BRS, which has traditionally held sway over municipal administrations, appeared to face stiff resistance this time. Though it managed to retain influence in certain towns, its overall tally lagged behind Congress in early counts. Senior BRS leaders maintained that the final picture would emerge only after complete counting, urging party workers to remain patient.
Election officials said counting was being conducted smoothly under tight security arrangements. Counting centres across districts were placed under surveillance, and additional police forces were deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. Results are expected to be fully declared by evening.
The outcome of the municipal polls is expected to reshape the political dynamics in Telangana, offering insight into public mood at the grassroots level. As counting continues, all eyes remain on whether Congress can convert its early lead into a decisive mandate across the state’s urban local bodies.
