Hyderabad: The Congress appears to have turned ministerial turf into electoral strongholds, sweeping most urban local bodies (ULBs) in districts represented by its senior leaders and consolidating its grip across key regions.In Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem — districts represented by deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy — the ruling party and its allies delivered a clean sweep. The Congress won Edulapuram, Kalluru, Madhira, Sathupalli, Wyra, Aswaraopet and Yellandu municipalities, besides securing Kothagudem municipal corporation along with the CPI. The trend continued in Nalgonda and Suryapet, represented by irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and roads and buildings minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. The Congress won Chandur, Chityal, Deverakonda, Haliya, Miryalguda, Nandikonda, Huzurnagar, Kodad, Nereducherla and Suryapet municipalities, in addition to the Nalgonda municipal corporation. The BRS managed to retain Tirumalgiri municipality in Suryapet district. In Vikarabad district, home turf of chief minister A Revanth Reddy, the Congress secured 10 seats in Kodangal municipality, while AIMIM and BRS won one each. The party also won Tandur and Vikarabad municipalities. In Parigi, Congress and BRS were tied at eight seats each. In Peddapalli district, represented by IT minister D Sridhar Babu, the Congress won Manthani, Peddapalli and Sultanabad municipalities, along with the Ramagundam municipal corporation. Most ministers, barring Vikramarka, were appointed in-charges of parliamentary constituencies beyond their home districts. However, many focused their efforts on their native districts, where the party’s performance was strongest. The results of ministers who could not deliver similar success elsewhere are expected to come under review. The results underline a clear pattern: Where ministers were politically entrenched, the Congress largely held its ground — turning local influence into urban victories.
