Hyderabad: The ruling Congress and opposition BRS and BJP have stepped up their political manoeuvring, working out strategies to outwit each other in the race for chairperson and vice-chairperson posts in Kyathanpally, Khanapur and Ibrahimpatnam municipalities.The Telangana State Election Commission has scheduled the elections to these key posts on April 4, setting the stage for an intense contest across the three urban local bodies. While the numbers appear to favour the opposition BRS, the ruling Congress is making a determined push to turn the tide. In all three municipalities, the support of BJP, CPI and independent ward members has emerged as crucial, making the outcome finely balanced. The elections to these posts were deferred during the Feb municipal polls due to tensions and lack of quorum, adding to the political stakes this time. In Kyathanpally municipality, of the 22 wards, the BRS holds 10, Congress 7, CPI 4 and one is held by an independent. Though the CPI is an ally of the Congress at the state level, sources told TOI that the Left party is likely to back the BRS. An understanding on the BRS taking the chairperson post and the CPI the vice-chairperson’s post was reportedly reached, though leaders from both parties did not confirm it. The Congress, however, is attempting to persuade the CPI’s state leadership. The Left party’s top brass has left the decision to local leaders, depending on ground-level political equations. “If the CPI supports the Congress, all the equations will change and we will win the chairperson post. Labour minister G Vivek and his son and MP G Vamsi Krishna have ex-officio votes in Kyathanpally municipality,” said a senior leader. BJP holds the keyIn Khanapur municipality, BJP members hold the key. Sources said local BJP leaders are inclined to support the BRS for the chairperson’s post, though they have placed certain demands. Of the 12 wards, BRS and BJP have four each, Congress has three, and one independent—who reportedly joined the Congress—completes the tally. In Ibrahimpatnam municipality, sources said some BRS ward members have been shifted to an undisclosed location to prevent poaching. With fears of cross-voting, shifting loyalties and camp politics looming large, all parties are engaged in intense strategising and counter-strategising to secure the top posts in the three municipalities.
