BJP Clinches Karimnagar Mayor Post, Congress Secures Nizamabad with AIMIM Support

Hyderabad, Feb 2026 : In a significant political development in Telangana’s urban local bodies, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) captured power in the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation on Monday, while the ruling Indian National Congress managed to secure the Mayor’s post in the Nizamabad Municipal Corporation with the crucial backing of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

In Karimnagar, Kolagani Srinivas was elected as the first-ever BJP Mayor of the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation after a closely fought contest that underscored the intensifying political rivalry in the state. The BJP had emerged as the single largest party in the 66-member civic body by winning 30 seats in the recent municipal elections. By securing the support of Independent corporators, the party was able to cross the required magic figure of 34, paving the way for its maiden mayoral victory in the corporation.

Y. Sunil Rao, also from the BJP, was elected as the Deputy Mayor, further consolidating the party’s hold over the civic body. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who is an ex officio member of the corporation, played a decisive role in mobilising support for the BJP. His involvement was seen as crucial in persuading Independent corporators to back the party during the floor test.

The Congress, which had secured only 14 seats in Karimnagar, attempted to put up a fight by garnering the support of seven other corporators, including three from the AIMIM. However, this was not enough to prevent the BJP from clinching the Mayor’s post. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which had won nine seats in the corporation, chose to abstain from the voting process, a move that significantly altered the arithmetic in favour of the BJP.

The political drama intensified a day before the mayoral election when five Independent corporators formally joined the Congress party. As part of its strategy to deny the Mayor’s post to the BJP, the ruling Congress reportedly shifted its corporators, along with the newly inducted Independents, to Hyderabad. Despite these efforts, the BJP managed to hold its ground and secure a historic victory.

A contrasting political picture emerged in Nizamabad. Although the BJP once again emerged as the single largest party by winning 28 of the 60 divisions in the Nizamabad Municipal Corporation, it fell short of the majority mark of 31. The Congress, which won 17 divisions, succeeded in forming the civic body with the support of AIMIM, which had secured 14 divisions. The lone corporator of the BRS also extended support to the Congress, ensuring its victory.

Uma Rani of the Congress was elected as Mayor of Nizamabad, while Salma Tahseen of the AIMIM was elected as Deputy Mayor. With this outcome, the Congress has now taken control of five out of the seven municipal corporations where elections were held on February 11, alongside polls to 116 municipalities across Telangana.

Reacting strongly to the BJP’s success in Karimnagar, Bandi Sanjay Kumar described the development as a historic and deeply emotional moment. In a post on social media platform X, he said the victory symbolised years of quiet struggle and unwavering commitment by party workers. He credited the people for placing their faith in the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and choosing what he described as “development with dignity.”

The Union Minister emphasised that the victory belonged to every BJP ‘karyakarta’ who stood firm despite pressure, threats and attempts to demoralise them. He highlighted that even in areas traditionally considered strongholds of rival parties, BJP workers managed to hoist the saffron flag, calling it a powerful symbol of courage and political change.

Political observers view the twin results in Karimnagar and Nizamabad as reflective of Telangana’s evolving urban political landscape, where alliances, strategic abstentions and last-minute shifts continue to play a decisive role in shaping outcomes at the municipal level.