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BJP to Contest Telangana Civic Polls Solo, Jana Sena Move Causes Tension

The Bharatiya Janata Party will contest the upcoming Telangana municipal elections without any alliances, as announced by state president N. Ramchander Rao. This declaration comes despite the Jana Sena Party, a BJP ally in Andhra Pradesh, also deciding to field candidates in the polls, causing reported tension. The BJP asserts it has emerged as a strong alternative force in Telangana, particularly in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation where it holds significant seats. Elections for numerous municipalities and corporations are expected next month, with the Telugu Desam Party's participation remaining uncertain.

Key Points: BJP Goes Solo in Telangana Municipal Elections

  • BJP to contest alone
  • Jana Sena causes alliance tension
  • Elections for 118 municipalities
  • BJP strong in GHMC
  • TDP's role unclear
2 min read

BJP to go it alone in Telangana municipal polls

BJP's Telangana chief announces party will contest municipal polls alone, amid tension from ally Jana Sena's decision to also enter the fray.

"Jana Sena is a political party. What's wrong if they contest the elections? - N. Ramchander Rao"

Hyderabad, Jan 13

The Bharatiya Janata Party will go it alone in the upcoming municipal elections in Telangana, the party's state president N. Ramchander Rao announced on Tuesday.

He, however, said that the BJP would welcome support from any other party.

The BJP leader's clarification came days after the announcement by Jana Sena Party that it will contest the municipal elections in Telangana.

Jana Sena, led by Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan, is an ally of the BJP in Andhra Pradesh.

"Jana Sena is a political party. What's wrong if they contest the elections?" asked Ramchander Rao when media persons sought his reaction on the decision of Jana Sena.

Ramchander Rao reiterated that the BJP has emerged as an alternative political force in Telangana and needs no alliance with any party to contest the municipal elections.

His assertion came amid reports that Jana Sena's decision to contest urban local body elections, including in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), is causing tension in the BJP.

Jana Sena plans to field candidates in arts of GHMC and municipalities where it claims to enjoy good support.

Jana Sena's Telangana leaders say that Pawan Kalyan is keen to expand the party's base in Telangana by entering the fray in municipal elections.

Elections to 118 municipalities and five corporations are likely to be held next month. GHMC, Khammam and Warangal corporations will go to the polls later.

The BJP has a strong vote bank in the GHMC, where it won 46 divisions in the 150-member body in the last elections. It also emerged as a formidable force in several major municipalities like Karimnagar, Nizamabad, and Warangal.

Both Jana Sena and BJP are partners in the ruling coalition headed by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh.

The TDP has not yet announced if it will be contesting the municipal elections in Telangana. For the first time in the party's history, it stayed away from the 2023 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
This is getting confusing. They are allies in Andhra but competing in Telangana? 🤔 Jana Sena is just trying to expand, but it might split the anti-incumbency vote. Not sure if this is good for the larger opposition front against BRS and Congress.
V
Vikram M
Local body elections are about civic issues - water, roads, sanitation. Hope all parties focus on that instead of just political maneuvering. BJP's performance in GHMC last time was good, they need to deliver on those promises now.
P
Priya S
Respectfully, I think this "go it alone" stance can be a bit arrogant. Politics is about building bridges, especially in a diverse state like Telangana. A little pragmatism with friendly parties like Jana Sena could secure a clearer mandate for development work.
A
Aman W
Pawan Kalyan's entry makes it interesting! He has a fan following that cuts across parties. But municipal polls are different from assembly elections. Need strong local faces. BJP's decision might be based on their own ground assessment. Let the best candidate win! 👍
K
Kavya N
The real story is TDP staying away again. It's like they've completely left the Telangana field. This creates a vacuum. BJP is trying to fill it, and now Jana Sena too. More options for voters is never a bad thing.

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